The Light of the World Trust provides a free dog walking service to those in receipt of state pension and physically disabled adults in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. This service is rapidly expanding throughout the South East of England and the Midlands. This service is proving to be a genuine need for the elderly and disabled.

It is well documented that owning a dog provides great benefit in the following areas; loneliness, isolation, depression, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, companionship, increases security and a sense of personal safety.

The Trust provides caring volunteers who will exercise a service user’s dog, groom and possibly take the dog for veterinary care.

Our current service users tell us of the huge difference the volunteers make to their lives and the wellbeing and health of their beloved dogs! They feel less guilty about being unable to provide adequate exercise themselves.

Friendships are forged which are mutually beneficial, and in some cases have lasted for years.

Our service users are the most vulnerable in society, therefore we take up references from our volunteers and also contact their G.P’s to confirm that they are mentally and physically fit before introducing them to our service users.

The Trust is working in partnership with Age Concern and is listed in their handbook. www.ageconcern.org.uk.

The Trust is always seeking new volunteers and service users in all areas of the country!

If you would like to register with us as one of our service users, please click HERE.

If you would like to apply to become one of our volunteer dog walkers, please click HERE.

FREE IN-HOUSE BOARDING FOR DOGS

The Trust has had many enquiries from service users, as to whether we provide free boarding facilities while they are in hospital, nursing home or after they have passed away. Their concern for their ‘best friends’ quality of care and remaining years is our concern too!

The Trust is currently fundraising for a boarding facility that would try and match the dog’s current home situation, rather than typical kennel accommodation.

We are seeking a large house with suitable grounds to provide staff accommodation and in-door ‘lounge style’ boarding care, utilising sofas, radios and other comforts to replicate the dogs usual home environment. Hopefully this will help with the stress of separation and anxiety experienced by both dogs and their owners at these times.

For this facility we would need to provide permanent staff and seek dedicated volunteers to make this a successful venture.

The trustees are committed to only providing the highest standards of care for all dogs; we are dog owners and understand the special relationship and life enhancement that their companionship brings to their owners.

These boarding facilities would be provided free of charge for those in receipt of state pension and Disability Living Allowance.

If you would like to help with fundraising or to donate to this aspect of the Trust please see below.