Volunteering with Dogs
SPPOT provides accredited training for people who have long term illnesses, disabilities or other barriers to work and education.
The training enables people to become Volunteer Dog Walkers and Daycarers, fully supported by SPPOT who will continue to train, support and insure each person in whichever way suits them best.
Every course offered by SPPOT is intended to benefit dogs too, by promoting kind, effective methods of training and handling. We teach up to date, ethical, and scientifically proven techniques.
Please note that training places are subject to meeting the access criteria and funding being in place.
Access Criteria
We accept applications from people who experience significant barriers to employment, for example, because of a disability, mental health issue, substance misuse issue, long term illness or who are unable to work for other health or social reasons. If you fit the criteria above, please get in touch yourself or ask a family member or professional to make contact on your behalf. We can then advise the most appropriate route to funding and training.
Becoming a SPPOT Volunteer
Human-Animal-Interaction (HAI)- the benefits of dogs to people – why SPPOT works!
For people who enjoy the company of dogs, some of the benefits of becoming a part of the SPPOT Team include:
- A clear purpose and worthwhile role in the community
- Developing empathy, care skills, responsibility, resilience, creative thinking, social skills and communication
- Dog walking provides fresh air, exercise, motivation, improves physical and mental wellbeing, community engagement—and fun!
Importantly, many skills for life can be learnt through the medium of dogs – for example:
- Teamwork and self-reliance
- Management of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and so forth
- Customer service skills
- Bus skills and skills for navigation on foot
- Laundry, budgeting, cooking, cleaning
How to Apply
If you are a person (or you represent someone) who meets our eligibility criteria, you can contact SPPOT directly to find out about current routes to funding (or self-funding) your training with us.
You can also contact your social worker, support worker, CPN or another professional who works with you, who can contact us for you.
If you are looking for a Work Experience placement, please contact us by using the button below to apply, We have many people interested in work experience with us, but can only accept one or two people at a time, but will always try to accommodate people who want a career working with animals
We can arrange drop-in sessions for people waiting to start training and anyone else who is interested in getting to know more about SPPOT.
SPPOT Accredited Training Courses
Care and Welfare of Dogs & Puppies
Dog Training
Vocational Dog Walking & Daycare
SPPOT Introductory Video
A great introductory video, created by media students from Pembrokeshire College.
