Meet Cobseo’s Members – introducing Service Dogs UK

Tell us about your organisation…

Service Dogs UK are the only service dog charity that uses rescue dogs to support those in both the Armed Forces and Emergency Services communities with PTSD. We support serving personnel and Veterans with a clinical diagnosis of PTSD through a lifelong partnership with an assistance dog. Under the guidance of our professional trainers, Veterans take their dogs through a 9-12 month training programme, at the end of which they become ADI Accredited PTSD Assistance Dogs.

How does your organisation support the Armed Forces Community?

Service Dogs UK helps change the lives of those Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Our dogs are trained to assist our clients when they most need it, not only do they offer great companionship but they are trained specifically to help with the symptoms of PTSD. The training process itself is a vital part of our clients moving forward, the sessions become a part of their routine and bonds are formed with like minded people. The friendships and support developed over the training course lasts well beyond the process, they know they always have a safe space and community with our training team, volunteers and the other beneficiaries. Positive influences to help them integrate back into the community, out of isolation and start to push the boundaries of what they thought possible.

What makes you proud of the work in the sector?

The support needed for the Veteran community and their families is being highlighted like never before. More services for Veterans and their families are being made available and the mental health and wellbeing of ex-forces are being spoke about as a priority.

We see the huge difference the right support can make to someone’s life. Having one of our trained PTSD Assistance Dogs by their side can mean the difference between someone isolating themselves 24/7 to then being part of a community and living their life with confidence as they navigate a new way forward.

We are proud to be a part of this change with all of the other organisations in the sector.

How does being a Member of Cobseo help you to do your work?

Being a member of Cobseo allows us to collaborate with other members to provide the best possible support to our beneficiaries. The governance support is a vital tool for us, as is having the access to all the online training and webinars available. Cobseo also promotes the services we provide and any news from our organisation through their social media channels and website.

Having all of this support available is essential for us to be able to continue to provide the highest standard of support to beneficiaries and for us to grow as an organisation.