Scruffs Squad

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Dog Assisted Mentoring and Wellbeing Specialist

Dog Assisted Mentoring and Wellbeing Specialist providing safe, structured, and impactful dog-led experiences that enhance emotional wellbeing and create lasting positive moments for people of all ages. 🐾

🐾 Our First Scruffs Squad Session – Feedback 🐾We recently ran one of our first interactive sessions and it was fantastic...
17/04/2026

🐾 Our First Scruffs Squad Session – Feedback 🐾

We recently ran one of our first interactive sessions and it was fantastic to see how people connected with the dogs.

The feedback we received was amazing:

✨ “I’d love to do it again.”
✨ “We loved learning how to interact with the dogs.”
✨ “Learning and having fun at the same time.”

What stood out most during the session was the engagement. Everyone listened carefully, got involved straight away, and you could see their confidence grow as the session went on.

By the end, they had improved at several skills and were interacting with the dogs much more naturally.

That’s exactly what Scruffs Squad is about — creating sessions where people can:
🐶 Learn about dogs
🐶 Build confidence around them
🐶 Have fun while doing it

Otis and Elsa were both brilliant teachers in their own ways, and it was great seeing everyone enjoy spending time with them.

More sessions will be coming soon 👀

If you’d be interested in joining a future Scruffs Squad session, feel free to drop us a message.

04/04/2026

Dogs aren’t perfect.
Training isn’t perfect either.

But every small win matters.

From lead walking practice, grooming days, training with the kids, and even the chaos of dog shows… Otis and Elsa are learning every day.

Some moments are brilliant.
Some moments are messy.

But that’s real life with dogs.

And honestly… we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Please enjoy Scruffs squads first session!

🐾



🐾 Meet Elsa – The Newest Member of Scruffs Squad 🐾We’re so excited to finally introduce Elsa, our beautiful young Samoye...
01/04/2026

🐾 Meet Elsa – The Newest Member of Scruffs Squad 🐾

We’re so excited to finally introduce Elsa, our beautiful young Samoyed, who has officially joined the Scruffs Squad team.

Elsa is full of personality – playful, energetic, curious and always ready to get involved. She brings a fun and engaging energy that will help make our sessions interactive and memorable.

One thing that makes Scruffs Squad a little different is that we work with rare and unique breeds that many people may have never met before.

Elsa joins our calm and gentle Chow Chow, Otis, meaning participants in our sessions get the chance to experience two very special breeds with very different personalities.

Our goal is to create positive experiences with dogs, build confidence, encourage interaction and simply bring a bit of joy to people’s day.

👀 You’ll be able to see Elsa in action very soon, as we’ll be announcing details of our first Scruffs Squad session shortly.

We can’t wait for you all to meet her 🐾

31/03/2026
Big things are coming for Scruffs Squad 🐾Our goal has always been simple:To create meaningful, positive experiences betw...
30/03/2026

Big things are coming for Scruffs Squad 🐾

Our goal has always been simple:

To create meaningful, positive experiences between people and dogs.

Through our sessions we aim to help:

• Build confidence
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Encourage social interaction
• Promote responsibility and empathy
• Create positive, calming moments with animals

Scruffs Squad sessions can support:

🐾 Children and young people
🐾 Schools and alternative provisions
🐾 Care homes and older adults
🐾 Community groups
🐾 Individuals who simply benefit from time with a dog

Every session is designed to be engaging, safe and tailored to the people involved – whether that’s calm interaction, confidence-building activities, or more energetic sessions.

But Scruffs Squad is about to grow… 👀

A new four-legged team member has been training behind the scenes and will soon be joining our sessions.

We can’t wait to introduce her properly very soon 🐶

Stay tuned…

18/03/2026

🐾 What is Scruffs Squad & Who Is It For? 🐾

We’ve had a lot of people ask what we actually do at Scruffs Squad, so here’s a simple breakdown 👇

At Scruffs Squad, we provide calm, structured dog interaction sessions designed to support wellbeing, confidence, and positive experiences with dogs.

Our sessions are built around two very different but equally important things:
🐶 Helping people
🐾 Helping dogs



🧠 Who can benefit?

👶 Children & Young People
• building confidence
• learning calm behaviour around dogs
• positive interaction and engagement

🏡 Care Homes & Elderly Settings
• companionship
• gentle interaction
• mood-boosting visits

💼 Workplaces & Community Groups
• wellbeing sessions
• stress relief
• something different and engaging

🐕 Dog Owners & Puppies
• puppy socialisation
• confidence building
• calm behaviour around other dogs



🐾 What do sessions look like?

Every session is calm, safe and structured, and may include:
• gentle interaction with dogs
• guided activities
• confidence-building exercises
• basic training and engagement
• relaxed, positive experiences



🐶 Why Scruffs Squad?

We focus on calm, controlled environments where both people and dogs feel comfortable.

Our dogs, including a calm Chow Chow who is a who huge part of what makes these sessions so special — helping create positive, memorable experiences.



⭐ Getting Started

We’re currently offering Free pilot sessions as we continue to grow and work with more people in the community.

If you think this could benefit you, your family, or an organisation you’re part of, feel free to message us or comment below 🐾

👀 Keep an eye out…
We may also have a new fluffy team member joining Scruffs Squad very soon… 🐶❄️



🐾 Puppy Confidence & Socialisation Sessions – Pilot Group 🐾Just a reminder we are offering Scruffs Squad Puppy Socialisa...
09/03/2026

🐾 Puppy Confidence & Socialisation Sessions – Pilot Group 🐾

Just a reminder we are offering Scruffs Squad Puppy Socialisation Sessions and we’re looking for a small number of local puppies to join our first pilot group.

These sessions are designed to help puppies build confidence, calm behaviour and positive social skills in a safe environment.

During the session we’ll work on:
• safe puppy socialisation
• confidence building games
• calm interactions with other dogs
• basic engagement and focus exercises
• positive handling and real-life skills

📍 Local sessions in South Derbyshire
⏱ Around 45–60 minutes
🐶 Puppies 8–20 weeks old

Perfect for new puppy owners who want to build confidence early and socialise their puppies from an early age!

As these are our first pilot sessions, we’re offering them at a discounted introductory price.

Spaces will be very limited so we can keep the group calm and controlled.

If you have a puppy and would like more information or to reserve a space, send us a message or comment below 🐾

🌟 Coming Soon: 6-Week Puppy Socialisation Classes in Swadlincote! 🌟

Got a puppy aged 12–18 weeks? 🐶

We’re planning small, safe, weekly socialisation sessions to help puppies:
✨ Build confidence and curiosity
✨ Meet other puppies in a calm, supervised environment
✨ Learn polite puppy-to-puppy and puppy-to-human interactions

Owners will also learn:
🐾 Handling and socialisation techniques
🐾 Confidence in guiding puppy behaviour
🐾 Tips for a happy, well-adjusted pup

📅 Evening & weekend sessions being considered — book weekly or for the full 6-week block
⚠️ Maximum 6 puppies per session — advance booking essential
📍 Exact venue to be confirmed — secure your puppy’s spot now and we’ll update you with details!

💬 Interested? Comment below or send a message to join the early interest list and reserve your place! 🐕💛

05/03/2026

🐾 What Happens in a Scruffs Squad Session? 🐾

One question we often get asked is… what actually happens during a session?

Our sessions are designed to be calm, positive and engaging, helping both people and dogs enjoy meaningful interaction.

Depending on the setting, sessions can include:

🐶 Meeting and interacting with the dogs – gentle strokes, bonding and building confidence around dogs.

🧠 Wellbeing moments – time spent relaxing with the dogs, which can help reduce stress and lift mood.

🐾 Simple activities – including basic training games or light agility activities that people can take part in or watch.

💬 Conversation and connection – dogs naturally help people open up, talk and engage with others.

Every session is slightly different depending on the people involved, but the aim is always the same:

Creating positive experiences that benefit both human wellbeing and canine wellbeing.

If you’d like to learn more about our sessions or try a free taster session, feel free to message the page.

We’d love to hear from you.

🐕

05/03/2026

🐾 A Little Reminder From Scruffs Squad 🐾

Dogs aren’t just pets… they’re companions, teachers, and sometimes the best therapy we never knew we needed.

At Scruffs Squad, we believe every dog and every person can benefit from connection, confidence building, and positive experiences together.

That’s why we offer sessions designed to support both canine wellbeing and human wellbeing, including:

🐶 Care Home Visits – calm, friendly interaction bringing joy and comfort to residents
🐾 1:1 Sessions – personalised time for people who may benefit from quiet dog interaction
💼 Workplace Wellbeing – wellbeing events where dogs help create relaxed, positive environments
🌍 Community Sessions – fun, engaging activities helping people and dogs build confidence together

We’re also passionate about showing that every dog is capable of more than people think – whether that’s learning new skills, building confidence, or simply bringing happiness to others.

If you’d like to learn more about what we do or are interested in a free taster session, feel free to message the page.

Let’s build something positive for both people and dogs. 🐕

We’re Offering Free Wellbeing Taster Sessions 🐾Scruffs Squad is currently offering a limited number of FREE canine wellb...
25/02/2026

We’re Offering Free Wellbeing Taster Sessions 🐾

Scruffs Squad is currently offering a limited number of FREE canine wellbeing taster sessions for:

• Care homes
• Community groups
• Workplace wellbeing events
• 1:1 wellbeing support

These structured sessions are designed to support emotional wellbeing, engagement, confidence and connection through calm, professionally handled dog interaction.

This is a great opportunity to:
✔ Experience the benefits first-hand
✔ See how sessions are structured
✔ Explore how canine wellbeing could support your setting

No obligation — just a chance to see what we do.

If you work within one of these sectors (or know someone who does), feel free to message the page for more information.

Let’s create calmer, more connected spaces together.

🌟 Coming Soon: 6-Week Puppy Socialisation Classes in Swadlincote! 🌟Got a puppy aged 12–18 weeks? 🐶We’re planning small, ...
22/02/2026

🌟 Coming Soon: 6-Week Puppy Socialisation Classes in Swadlincote! 🌟

Got a puppy aged 12–18 weeks? 🐶

We’re planning small, safe, weekly socialisation sessions to help puppies:
✨ Build confidence and curiosity
✨ Meet other puppies in a calm, supervised environment
✨ Learn polite puppy-to-puppy and puppy-to-human interactions

Owners will also learn:
🐾 Handling and socialisation techniques
🐾 Confidence in guiding puppy behaviour
🐾 Tips for a happy, well-adjusted pup

📅 Evening & weekend sessions being considered — book weekly or for the full 6-week block
⚠️ Maximum 6 puppies per session — advance booking essential
📍 Exact venue to be confirmed — secure your puppy’s spot now and we’ll update you with details!

💬 Interested? Comment below or send a message to join the early interest list and reserve your place! 🐕💛

Address

Chapel Street Church Gresley
Swadlincote
DE119LX

Telephone

+447939581618

Website

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