Life Issues with UCB: Hope in hard places — and the story behind Hope’s Therapy Dogs

Written By Alison Colley

I’m thrilled to share that my conversation with Vicky on UCB’s Life Issues goes live this week on Monday 27th November. In it, I speak honestly about walking through loss and uncertainty as a Christian, and how those hard places became the soil where Hope’s Therapy Dogs was planted.

“God didn’t take away every storm—but He met me in the middle of them, and put purpose in my hands.”

What we talked about

  • Grief, faith, and resilience: how I learned to keep moving one step at a time with Jesus, even when the path wasn’t clear.

  • Hope’s legacy: our daughter Hope’s courageous journey and how a small cockapoo called Pippa became her therapy dog and, eventually, the heartbeat of a new mission.

  • Why we exist: children’s mental health matters deeply, and animals—when cared for ethically—can open doors to healing, regulation, and connection.

  • Doing it the right way: professional, evidence-based Animal Assisted Intervention that safeguards both children and dogs. (Our dogs’ wellbeing always comes first; that’s non-negotiable.)

  • From one school to many: how the work grew to support over 1,200 children across dozens of schools, and how we’re partnering with NHS and workplaces too.

If you’re in a tough season, I hope this episode helps you feel seen—and reminds you that hope is not fragile. It’s a lifeline.

How to listen & watch

From Monday 27 October (early hours) – Podcast

Mon 27–Thu 30 October – On air in segments (UCB 1)

  • Featured across four mornings during the Talking Point programme, somewhere between 9:25am and 11:40am (timings vary with the news)

  • Listen on DAB+ radio, the UCB Player App, smart speaker, or online: https://www.ucb.co.uk/ucb1

Sunday 2 November – Full broadcast (UCB 1)

Why Hope’s Therapy Dogs matters

At HTDs we offer carefully structured sessions that help children regulate emotions, build confidence, and re-engage with learning—always protecting our dogs’ welfare as we protect the children we serve. That’s our promise: ethical, compassionate, professional.

If the episode resonates with you—please listen, share, and pass it to someone who might need a little light today.

With love and hope,
Ali Colley
Founder & Director, Hope’s Therapy Dogs
“Hope and Healing through Animal Assisted Intervention.”
📧 ali@hopestherapydogs.co.uk

Alison Colley
Next

From Celebration to Care: Winning EVAS… and Helping Stella Heal