Canine Partners Offers Funding Lifeline

Ahead of UK Disability History Month (November 19 to December 19), Canine Partners is shining a light on its Financial Assistance Fund to highlight the disproportionate impact rising living costs are having on disabled people across the UK.   

Formed in 1990, the national charity breeds, trains and supports expert assistance dogs, partnering them with physically disabled people. The charity has created over 1,000 life-changing partnerships, with over 200 currently active across the UK right now. 

Throughout this time, Canine Partners has supported its partnerships via a little-known lifeline that helps combat rising living costs and financial hardship. 

The Financial Assistance Fund provides essential financial relief to the charity’s partners (individuals assigned assistance dogs) struggling with the cost of caring for an assistance dog.  

The vital funding covers costs for anything from veterinary bills to day-to-day expenses, such as:  

· Dog food

· Preventive care (vaccinations, flea and worn treatments)

· Monthly insurance premiums

· Specialist supplements

· Medication

· Prescription diet

· Physiotherapy

· Insurance excess fees

· Urgent referral for special care

· Essential surgery

“For the disabled people we support, a Canine Partner is not a luxury, said Hayley Telling, Canine Partners Veterinary and Wellbeing Manager.

“Their assistance dog provides practical support, love and companionship; helping them live happier, more independent lives.

“We never want our partners to face losing their assistance dog because of their financial circumstances. That’s where our Financial Assistance Fund comes in.”

It costs £50,000 to train and support a Canine Partner from puppyhood right through to retirement - and the charity does not charge partners for their life-changing assistance dogs or the training. Partners are simply asked to cover the everyday costs of a dog. 

In addition to lifelong support, partners also have access to reduced-cost food and insurance to help make these essentials more affordable. 

Last year, the charity spent £48,582 through its Financial Assistance Fund to keep partnerships together. This supported both day-to-day costs and emergency veterinary care, which can quickly run into thousands of pounds. 

“For someone already struggling to make ends meet, an unexpected bill or sudden change in circumstances can mean choosing between covering everyday costs and keeping their Canine Partner,” added Hayley.

“The thought of losing the dog that gives them independence, love and companionship can be devastating.”

Find out more about the Financial Assistance Fund and the partnerships it supports at: caninepartners.org.uk/christmas-and-beyond/