Dogs for Good is calling on Lancashire residents to ‘get walking, start talking’ this ‘Dogtober’
Dogs for Good is encouraging people to take part in ‘Dogtober’ – a walking challenge in the month of October.
The charity is hoping to raise awareness of the positive impact that dogs can have on improving feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Dogs for Good enables people to make life-changing differences through specially-trained dogs.
The charity recently conducted a survey with More Than Insurance which showed that:
64% of people have felt lonely or isolated in the past 12 months
96% of people say dogs alleviate loneliness
79% of people say they have up to 20 friendly interactions each week while walking their dog
Caroline, from Bolton, has felt the benefits of her assistance dog, Sailor.
She said: “Sailor’s brought back to me bits of my life that I never thought I’d get back. He spurs me on to do more and more. I can go where I want, when I want and my confidence is growing every day.
“There’s not a day goes by when he doesn’t make me laugh. He makes the days go quicker and has utterly transformed my life.”
Peter Gorbing, Chief Executive of Dogs for Good said: “There’s no doubt about it, dog walking, whether alone or tagging along with a friend, makes you feel better in yourself.
“Being out in nature and exercise are positive contributors to reducing social isolation, but, importantly, the research findings proved that there is a higher likelihood of social interactions with people that we might never have otherwise thus combatting feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
“We know that isolation and loneliness can be even greater for disabled people and, for many of the people we support, partnership or time spent with a dog can be transformational.”
The charity is asking people to sign up to Dogtober and Get Waking, Start Talking by walking 100km -or their own target – during October to raise vital funds for its work.
Every pound raised will help Dogs for Good enable more people to make life-changing differences through the power of dogs.
To sign up to Dogtober and get a free fundraising pack, go to dogsforgood.org/dogtober
