Hope's Therapy Dogs

11/03/2026

11/03/2026

Pippa here. 🐾

This week I had another important engagement at the Lakeside Hotel for International Women’s Day with the wonderful Pink Link Ladies Network.

Now, as a dog, I’ll be honest… I do find it a little confusing that humans still need a special day to push for things like equity and closing the gender pay gap. From where I’m sitting, aren’t men and women both equally valuable already? Just with different strengths, different ways of doing things, and different gifts to bring? It all seems rather obvious really. But apparently humans still need reminding… so off they go in heels and smart jackets to sort it out.

And what a day it was.

I met some truly brilliant women and heard so many inspiring conversations. , and were just a few of the amazing ladies my human had the joy of speaking with. There was such a strong sense of warmth, wisdom, honesty and encouragement in the room.

I also listened in while Gillian Ashcroft spoke — or at least I looked like I was listening. I was actually doing my usual therapy dog thing of quietly taking in the atmosphere, being adorable, and helping people feel at ease.

And the Pink Link team? Well, they did what they always do — went above and beyond. They didn’t just host an event. They created a day with real impact, full of connection, energy and heart. A day to remember.

Well done to everyone involved.
Love,
Pippa 🐶💜

09/03/2026

We’re looking for a very special person to join us at Hope’s Therapy Dogs.

We have an opportunity for a Therapy Dog Handler Associate at Meridian High School, starting at 2 hours per week, with scope to grow as more schools come on board.

This role would suit someone who is calm, compassionate, professional and deeply committed to supporting children and young people in a safe, ethical and meaningful way. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about both child wellbeing and dog welfare, and who understands that this is much more than bringing a dog into school - it’s relational, purposeful, therapeutic work.

At Hope’s Therapy Dogs, our values matter. We are committed to compassion, integrity, professionalism, safeguarding and high standards of animal welfare. Safer recruitment is central to our process, and any appointment will be subject to the appropriate checks.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send a CV and short covering letter to ali@hopestherapydogs.co.uk

06/03/2026

Booking now for termly wellbeing support 💛

Wellbeing support does not need to be complicated — but it does need to be consistent.

Our termly wellbeing sessions provide a safe, nurturing space for children, young people and staff, with the support of our therapy dogs through structured Animal Assisted Intervention.

If you would like to bring regular, meaningful wellbeing support into your school, organisation or setting, we would be delighted to talk.

Contact us to find out more and secure your booking.

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

Meet Rico 🐾

Rico is a charming mix of Toy Poodle and English Toy Terrier — a joyful little character full of energy, curiosity and personality.

He’s always alert, always interested, and always ready for his next adventure. His playful spirit brings smiles wherever he goes, and his inquisitive nature means he loves exploring the world around him.

Whether he’s working or playing, Rico brings such warmth, fun and a real zest for life. He’s the kind of dog who is hard not to fall in love with 💛

03/03/2026

Some days stay with you for a long time.

Friday at Liverpool Zoe’s Place Liverpool was one of those days.

It was a real privilege to spend time with such brave children, their families, and the incredible team who pour so much compassion, skill and care into making life a little lighter in the hardest of circumstances.

Seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they met Pippa and gently stroked her was so moving. Those small moments matter so much. A soft head to stroke. A calm presence. A smile. A little spark of light in the middle of so much that is heavy.

I couldn’t help but think of Hope. She would be so delighted to know that her legacy is now reaching children in hospices too. What began with one little girl and her dog has grown into something that is now bringing comfort, connection and gentle support to other children and families who need it most. That means more than I can say.

A huge thank you to Liverpool Zoe’s Place sPlace for welcoming us so for making this visit possible.

We came away deeply moved, incredibly grateful, and truly looking forward to working more alongside this wonderful team. 💛🐾

02/03/2026

Wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be consistent.

We often think support has to be big, dramatic or expensive to make a difference. But in reality, small things done regularly are often what help most.

A calm welcome.
A familiar face.
A safe routine.
A few quiet minutes.
A chance to breathe.
A moment of connection.

For many children and adults, especially those who are neurodivergent or have experienced trauma, consistency matters because the world can often feel unpredictable, overwhelming or exhausting. When support is steady and reliable, it helps the nervous system feel safer. It reduces the need to stay on high alert. It builds trust.

That’s why simple, repeated wellbeing practices can be so powerful. They don’t need to be complicated to work — they need to be safe, predictable and repeated enough for the person to begin to believe, “I’m okay here.”

Progress is not always found in the big breakthroughs.
Sometimes it’s found in the gentle rhythm of support that shows up again and again.

Consistency creates safety.
Safety creates trust.
Trust makes growth possible.

02/03/2026

Sometimes it feels like the world is loud with negativity — corruption, division, cruelty. It would be easy to feel overwhelmed.

But darkness doesn’t win.

Recent UK research into resilience found that people with active faith report higher emotional resilience, greater optimism, and stronger ability to cope with adversity — with Christians ranking highest in reported life satisfaction and resilience measures.

What makes the difference isn’t just belief. It’s belonging.

Family.
Friendship.
Community.
Standing together instead of pulling apart.

Resilience research consistently shows that strong relational bonds — people who know you, support you and walk beside you — are one of the greatest protective factors for mental wellbeing.

When we choose:
🤝 unity over division
❤️ compassion over cynicism
🌱 service over self-interest

we actively push back the darkness.

We don’t need to agree on everything.
But we do need each other.

Good will triumph — and every one of us can play our part in bringing hope, joy and peace into the spaces we influence.

Let’s stand together.

26/02/2026

Feeling safe changes everything. 💛🐾

When someone feels safe, their breathing softens.
Their shoulders drop.
Their voice comes back.
Their guard comes down — even just a little.

Safety isn’t always loud or obvious.
Sometimes it looks like a quiet moment…
a gentle presence…
a wagging tail…
a hand resting on soft fur…
a space where there is no pressure to “perform” or explain.

For so many children, young people and adults, feeling safe is the first step before trust, connection, regulation and healing can happen.

We never take those moments for granted.
Because when someone begins to feel safe, that moment can be the beginning of everything. ✨

26/02/2026