“I started volunteering to help change someone else’s life. In doing so, I changed my own.ˮ
National assistance dog charity Canine Partners – who breed, train and support expert assistance
dogs, matching them with disabled people – is looking for volunteers to provide loving forever homes
for the mums of the next generation of life-changing pups.
Dog Breeding Volunteers support the charity by caring for both mum and her puppies in their own homes, giving the little life-changers everything they need until they start training at around eight-weeks-old, while the mum stays as a much-loved family pet.
Liz Lacey, Breeding Manager at Canine Partners, says: “We desperately need Volunteers in the
Midlands, South Yorkshire, and Bedfordshire to help care for our Broods. We provide training, on-going
support, and cover all costs. It really is a fantastic way to support the charity, helping bring happy and
healthy puppies in the world who will go on to make a real difference to someone’s life.”
Dog Breeding Volunteers – Andrew and Nicola’s story
In December 2017, Andrew and Nicola Brown’s lives changed forever when their 21-year-old son,
Jake, died in a car accident.
“I don’t think anyone can describe what it feels like to lose a child. He went out of the house one day
and didn’t come back,” Nicola said.
At the time, Nicola was working as a SEN Teaching Assistant. But after Jake’s death, everything
stopped. “I didn’t go back to work. Life just stood still and I felt like I had nothing to get up for.”
As Nicola navigated her grief, she searched for something that could help her rediscover a sense of
purpose. A lifelong dog lover, she came across Canine Partners. “If Jake had survived, he might have
needed an assistance dog himself. Helping someone benefit from that support just felt right.”
In January 2020, Nicola and Andrew were joined by Labradoodle puppy, Rosa. Rosaʼs temperament
and coat made her well suited to the charity’s breeding programme. “From the start, we had such a
strong bond. Incredibly, she shares her birthday with Jake. It felt like it was meant to be.ˮ
Since then, Rosa has had three litters, helping bring 20 future assistance dogs into the world. Nicola
and Andrew support her through every stage, from pregnancy to raising and socialising the puppies in
those crucial first eight weeks. “Itʼs hard work, but we get lots of support and itʼs incredibly rewarding.
Watching them grow and knowing the difference they’ll go on to make is amazing.ˮ
Volunteering has also brought a sense of community back into Nicolaʼs life. “It feels like a new family.
Everyone has their own story, but we’re all here for the same reason.ˮ
“I started volunteering to help change someone else’s life. In doing so, I changed my own.ˮ
Canine Partners relies on volunteers to breed, train and support their life-changing assistance dogs.
To find out more or register your interest in becoming a Dog Breeding Volunteer, please visit
cpartners.uk/dbv_recruitment
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