I am an ex-teacher who has been a speaker for Canine Partners for the last eleven years. I have spoken to conference centre gatherings and, on a very stormy night, an audience of four and varying in age from Year 2 children to members of the U3A.

Canine Partners is a charity which trains assistance dogs to assist people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and a better quality of life, reducing the dependence on human carers; this may include helping them into education and employment, through the provision of these specially trained dogs. The well-being of the dogs is a key consideration for the charity which is part of Assistance Dogs UK.