Canine companions

The phenomenal success of our animal assisted therapy service has resulted in it being extended further to enable even more people to benefit from the interaction with the canine companions.

Five more dogs have successfully passed their training and have now joined the previous pack of five dogs which make up the CareBark service.

The dogs, Shadow, Kyro and Wren (all Labradors), Blue (Cockapoo) and Marley (Labradoodle) are now working alongside Labradors Red, Chance, Emmie and Axel and Cockapoo Wilma.

The ten dogs, along with seven human handlers, go into the homes of customers across the Redcar and Cleveland area and are integrated into their assessed need care packages. The dogs support clients with mental health and wellbeing, prevent loneliness, provide motivation to get people moving and get out into the community for some much-needed fresh air.

The service also works closely with schools, colleges, day centres, care homes and Caremark’s very own Safe Place activity-led day centre in Redcar.

Caremark Redcar and Cleveland Managing Director Michelle Jackson, who owns the dogs and established the service, said: “We only set up the service in 2023 and have been overwhelmed by the positive response to the dogs and to see the major impact they are having on people’s lives across our area. We are achieving some amazing outcomes for people!

“The dogs have helped people leave their houses for the first time in years, brought joy to children with life-limiting conditions and are helping people to meet new friends through their shared interests and love of a dog.

“The possibilities are endless when it comes to the power of dog therapy and we never cease to be amazed by these amazing animals and the staff who handle them.”

One local organisation benefiting from regular contact with the dogs is Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough. Young people with special educational needs in the Endeavour Faculty at the college took part in a fundraising event which helped to pay for sessions with the dogs.

One of the students, Hamza, said: “I am very scared of dogs so I kept my distance initially but once I got to know them, especially Kyro, I was fine and really enjoyed being with them.”

Another student, Rob, said: “We were able to take the dogs outside and play with them, which was great.”

Prior Pursglove Tutor Helen Beadnall said: “When the dogs were here everyone was smiling and wanted to come over to them. It got the students very relaxed and focuses and it brought them lots of joy.

“We have one young man who has difficulty regulating his emotion and can use inappropriate language but when he was with the dogs he didn’t swear once and we saw the very best side of his personality which was wonderful to witness.

The CareBark service is a chargeable service due to Caremark employing the dog handlers and not relying on volunteers. The service can be contracted via Redcar and Cleveland Council as part of an assessed need or paid for privately for anyone else wishing to use the service.

People in the community who are interested in the dogs coming to their home, care home, day center or any other venue, can contact Caremark on 01287 634706 or email redcar@caremark.co.uk