What is a Buddy Dog?

More than 24 partnerships are currently involved in the Buddy Dogs pilot including team, adult, schools and children and young people buddy dogs. We are looking to create a max of 30 partnerships during th pilot and any partnerships we create between now and then will be working with young people:

• Young people’s buddy dog – this is a long-term partnership where buddy dogs are placed with families with a blind or partially sighted children or young persons under 16. They are given the the opportunity to take some responsibility for the dog i.e. feeding, grooming and walking. Improved confidence and mobility skills will be evaluated and skills to support future guide dog mobility may be developed.
• Young people’s buddy dog within a specialist school/unit – this is a long-term partnership with a carer who is a  teacher or professional working with blind and partially sighted young people in a special needs school or unit. The dog will support specialist one-to-one work with specific pupils with the aim of developing confidence, communication and mobility skills.