From Celebration to Care: Winning EVAS… and Helping Stella Heal
Last week brought a whirlwind of emotions for our team at Hope’s Therapy Dogs. On Thursday, we were honoured to be recognised at the EVAS (Enterprise Vision Awards) for our work in health and wellbeing—a moment of deep pride for our whole team and the schools, families, and partners who believe in the power of ethical Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI).
By Sunday, the high had turned into heartbreak. Our beloved Cockerpoo, Stella, injured her leg while playing with our Labradoodle, Truman. She couldn’t put weight on it, and after urgent veterinary care we learned she has a fracture. She’s now on round-the-clock, vet-prescribed pain relief and strict rest, wrapped in all the TLC we can possibly give her.
“In the same breath as victory, we’ve been reminded what truly matters: the wellbeing of the animals we love and the children we serve.”
Stella: Our Gentle, Joyful Girl
If you’ve met Stella, you’ll know she’s sunshine in a scruffy coat—playful, intuitive, and endlessly kind with children who find the school day difficult. She has a special way of sitting close without asking for anything, helping young people regulate their emotions and feel safe enough to learn.
We are absolutely gutted for her. The priority now is healing well. We will keep her off work for the foreseeable future—and possibly permanently—if that’s what her welfare requires. At Hope’s Therapy Dogs, animal welfare isn’t a slogan; it’s our safeguarding. When we protect the dogs, we protect the children.
To Our Schools and Partners (with love to Eastcroft Park Primary, Kirkby)
A heartfelt thank you to our friends at Eastcroft Park Primary in Kirkby—your support and understanding mean the world. Your pupils have built beautiful bonds with our dogs, and we’re committed to maintaining continuity where it’s right to do so. We have multiple therapy dog teams, and we’ll manage schedules carefully to ensure that:
No dog’s workload is ever increased beyond our welfare thresholds.
Every child’s needs remain central to planning and risk assessment.
Sessions continue to be evidence-informed, outcomes-focused, and led by experienced handlers.
If you’re a SENCo, DSL, Headteacher, or member of the pastoral team, please know: we will never compromise on welfare or safety. Where adjustments are needed, we’ll work them through with you promptly and transparently.
For NHS & Corporate Wellbeing Leads: Reliability, Ethics, Outcomes
Emma, you’re tasked with delivering measurable impact under tight budgets and safeguarding standards. This week has underscored our resilience, governance, and ethical foundation:
Clinical-style governance for AAI: incident reporting, handler supervision, and strict welfare protocols aligned with best practice and emerging national standards.
Continuity planning: multiple trained dog-handler teams; no single point of failure; proactive scheduling to protect both outcomes and animal welfare.
Evidence you can present: clear session aims, attendance/engagement tracking, and feedback loops to demonstrate impact on morale, stress reduction, and emotional regulation.
We win awards like EVAS because we’re values-led and operationally robust. We stay in the room when things get hard, and we plan for the unexpected—just as we’ve done this week.
For School Leaders: Safeguarding and Consistency Children Can Trust
Rachel, we know what matters to you: children feeling safe, seen, and ready to learn. Our approach remains:
Welfare-first: if a dog is unwell or recovering, they do not work. Full stop.
Child-centred planning: we adjust timetables thoughtfully; we explain changes in age-appropriate ways; we maintain relational safety for pupils who need predictability.
Collaboration: we keep communication open with your pastoral team so children and staff feel supported, not surprised.
The Highs and the Lows—Held Together by Purpose
Winning at the EVAS affirmed our mission; Stella’s injury reminded us of our responsibility. Both moments point in the same direction: compassion with professional standards. We will keep showing up—with integrity, clear communication, and a fierce commitment to children’s and animals’ wellbeing.
Please keep Stella in your thoughts as she heals. We’ll share updates when we can, but for now, it’s rest, pain relief, cuddles, and careful monitoring.
If you’re exploring AAI for your school, NHS team, or organisation and want to understand how we balance impact with ethics, we’d love to talk. We’ll listen first, tailor a plan, and only proceed where it’s right for everyone—especially the dog.
With gratitude,
Ali Colley
Founder & Director, Hope’s Therapy Dogs
Hope and Healing through Animal Assisted Intervention
ali@hopestherapydogs.co.uk