Dogs for Good (formerly Dogs for the Disabled[1]) is a UK-based charity training dogs to help adults and children with physical disabilities and learning disabilities, children with autism and adults with dementia.[2] Until October 2015 it was called Dogs for the Disabled.
The charity was founded in 1988 by Frances Hay (1950–90) in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. This was as a result of Frances' personal experience with her own pet dog helping Frances overcome her own disability. Following her death, friends and family continued the work and organization she started.[3] By the time Hay's death, the charity had placed 25 working dogs.[4] [5]
In 2000 a successful application to the National Lottery resulted in the building of a national training centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire where the charity is based today.
Dogs for Good is a fully Accredited Member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI)[6] and meets the ADI standards in its assistance dog work. Dogs for Good is a member of Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK).[7] Assistance Dogs UK is a coalition of assistance dog charities all accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Dogs for Good is a Full member of Animal Assisted Intervention International (AAII)[8] and adheres to the AAII standards in its community dog work.