Raw pet food and wellness subscription company, Bella & Duke, was established with the health and well-being of our nation’s pets at the forefront, which is why the company was proud to partner with Therapy Dogs Nationwide in 2023 and is continuing to fundraise and support the charity’s work in providing Animal Assisted Therapies throughout 2024.
The leading pet food subscription firm has continued to donate to the charity on an on-going basis as well as championing them through fundraising initiatives. The hero dog initiative, established in 2023, saw four therapy dogs supported with full Bella & Duke subscriptions, ensuring the dogs were fuelled with a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet whilst they carried out the important work they do. Bella & Duke also gifted a 20% discount for any Therapy Dogs Nationwide volunteer on all of their meals.
Committed to offering optimum nutrition to help our pets live the happy, healthy and long lives they deserve, Bella & Duke has now sponsored four new hero dogs, giving them the essential fuel to carry out their work and care for those who need it most.
A national charity where visiting volunteers take their own dogs into establishments to provide comfort, distraction and stimulation, volunteers visit schools, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, care centres and prisons to care for those who need it in their own way.
Tasks the dogs help with include building children’s confidence when learning to read, with Primary, Junior, High and SEN schools’ under the charity’s ‘Paws & Read Scheme’, recognised by The Kennel Club. The roster of volunteers also creates a calming environment for autistic children and adults, as well as providing comfort and company for those in hospital and hospices. All the therapy dogs are temperament tested, with some dogs having a volunteering history of over 10 years.
The hero dogs Bella & Duke will be supporting in 2024, are:
Misty, a seven-year-old Staffie cross, was rehomed from Battersea Dogs’ Home in November 2018. Since then, she has become a phenomenal therapy dog, initially working in a Young Offenders unit and The Royal Hospital Chelsea in 2019. Transitioning to Therapy Dogs Nationwide in 2021, Misty continued her impactful work in HMPs, becoming a beloved presence among both staff and prisoners, and expanded her reach to a Pupil Referral Unit, demonstrating an innate ability to bring calm to challenging environments. She also brings joy to residents at Abbeyfield Care Home, specialising in Dementia care, with her visits. In her spare time, Misty enjoys twice-daily walks, running around with her brother Mac, playing with her favourite toys and she has a fondness for raw carrot sticks as treats, especially during her therapy sessions.
Elin, a three year old Borzoi, has been working as a therapy dog for 18 months, bringing comfort to residents at a care home, students at a primary school, and children aged 4-19 in a special school. With visits every fortnight to the care home and weekly trips to the schools, Elin’s calm demeanour and love for attention, especially from children, make her a soothing presence for those feeling stressed or overwhelmed. When not on duty, Elin enjoys lounging on her many sofas.
Bear, a four-year-old Great Dane, joined Therapy Dogs Nationwide at 18 months old and has since become a beloved regular visitor to Highdown Prison, Charing Cross Hospital, and various London Ambulance Service locations. He adores meeting people of all backgrounds and eagerly anticipates donning his uniform for visits. When not spreading joy with Therapy Dogs Nationwide, Bear enjoys lounging on the sofa, sunbathing in the garden, and going for walks with his dog friends. He’s a local celebrity, often spotted at pubs and dog-friendly cafes, and he generously donates blood every eight weeks to the Pet Blood Bank U.K.
Godfrey, an 8-year-old Border Collie, has boundless intelligence and affection for people, and excels in a diverse range of activities. From regular visits to schools catering to children with autism to supporting exam-stressed students and patients in a local mental health hospital, his schedule is packed. A highlight of his year is attending A Night to Shine prom night, where special needs youngsters and their carers are treated like royalty, and Godfrey is a beloved fixture on the red carpet, eagerly awaited by all.
James Sturrock, CEO at Bella & Duke, said: “We are proud to be continuing our partnership with Therapy Dogs Nationwide and to continue to support them with our hero dogs initiative, alongside our ongoing donations to them. Here at Bella & Duke we truly believe that dogs have a positive impact in people’s lives, which is highlighted by the work of Therapy Dogs Nationwide. It’s an honour to continue our work so Therapy Dogs Nationwide can continue to provide Animal Assisted Therapies.”
Leisl de Lafontaine, a Trustee at Therapy Dogs Nationwide, said: “Here at Therapy Dogs Nationwide we believe in giving our incredible volunteers the choice on how to look after their dogs the way they want. Whether that is through how they wish to feed them or how they maintain their dog’s healthy lifestyle. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Bella & Duke, who champion the health of our nation’s pets, to help our volunteers make an educated and informed choice about their pets.
Through Bella & Duke’s donations we can help expand the presence of our therapy dogs in their local areas, where they can support those in schools, hospices, hospitals and more.”
To find out more on the partnership, or to make a donation to Therapy Dogs Nationwide, visit: https://www.bellaandduke.com/therapy-dogs-nationwide/ or tdn.org.uk
