Veterans With Dogs has welcomed Jenny Young as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking the beginning of an important new chapter for the charity as it looks to strengthen and responsibly grow its support for veterans living with mental health challenges.
Jenny joined Veterans With Dogs in August, succeeding the charity’s founder and former CEO. Her appointment comes at a significant point in the organisation’s development as it evolves from its founder-led beginnings towards a more strategic and sustainable model of leadership.
Alongside the appointment, Veterans With Dogs has strengthened its Board of Trustees, bringing together a broader range of professional skills and experience, and has undertaken considerable work to strengthen its governance, policies, systems and organisational oversight.
Jenny will now work with the Board, staff and volunteers to develop the charity’s longer-term strategy, strengthen existing partnerships and identify opportunities to sustainably increase the number of veterans able to benefit from its specialist assistance dog programme.
Sally Williams, Chair of Trustees, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Jenny to Veterans With Dogs. We are incredibly proud of everything that has brought the charity to this point, and Jenny’s appointment represents an exciting next stage in our development.
“We now have a strengthened Board, stronger governance and a real opportunity to look strategically at how we grow our impact while ensuring that the quality of support we provide to veterans and the welfare of our dogs remain at the heart of every decision.”
Puppy Socialisers needed in the South West
As Veterans With Dogs looks to the future, one of the charity’s most important needs is for more volunteer Puppy Socialisers across the South-West of England.
Puppy Socialisers welcome a Veterans With Dogs Labrador puppy into their home and, supported by the charity’s specialist training team, help introduce them to the everyday experiences, environments and situations they will encounter as they develop.
The role is a vital first stage in the journey towards becoming an assistance dog.
Sally added:
“Quite simply, without Puppy Socialisers we cannot bring puppies into our programme, and without those puppies we cannot create the future assistance dog partnerships that veterans need.
“It is an incredibly rewarding opportunity to play a direct part in a puppy’s journey towards potentially transforming a veteran’s life.”
Veterans With Dogs is particularly keen to hear from people in the South-West who would like to find out more about becoming a Puppy Socialiser.
To find out more, contact Veterans With Dogs or visit the charity’s website here: www.veteranswithdogs.org.uk
