How Helpful Hounds charity are helping out schools in Dorset

Helpful Hounds are a charity that is based in Bournemouth and currently has 50 dogs that help out with schools and families.

They reach Dorset and Hampshire and even as far as Surrey.

The charity was set up to engage with children with Autism, Down-Syndrome and other mental or physical disabilities.

Trustee and Volunteer CEO Peter Rufus said “At Toynbee school, their dog Scoot was mentioned in the school’s Ofsted due to the function he is fulfilling”.

Mr Rufus believes with restrictions being lifted, the number of dogs being utilised in schools will increase.

“At Beaucroft school in Wimborne, Henry the Helpful Hound is there to help encourage the children to come into school who don’t want to be there. He will go into the classroom and do deep pressure therapy if one of the youngsters has a meltdown”

Peter Rufus also added that Henry has a special way of calming the children: “The Henry Hug is where he puts his paws on the shoulders of the child and gives them a hug.”

Helpful Hounds has a donation page which can be found on their website here

If you want to get involved. Get in contact with the charity to organise a voluntary event.