Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy Dogs

How our Training Works

A common misconception and the biggest question we get asked on a daily basis is 'Do you provide qualified Assistance Dogs'

The answer unfortunately is WE DO NOT!

Many people choose to train their own assistance or therapy dogs and here at Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy Dogs, we support people with a range of physical and mental disabilities as well as mobility issues, to train their own dogs up to the required standard of a trained assistance dogs or therapy dog.

Our classes are not to train your dog but to teach you how to train your own dog. All we ask is for your commitment to training!

We have a great support network in place. Volunteers are on hand to ask questions throughout the day and we have social media for all handlers to ask questions and support each other through their training journeys.

We provide a range of training programmes from Basic Obedience to Assistance work and Therapy work. At the end of each programme their will be an assessment, to achieve that level.

Here at Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy Dogs we use the Kennel Club methods which is all about positive reinforcement with reward based training. We do not use adverse training tools or methods.

About Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy Dogs

Our Mission

Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy Dogs is a Registered Charitable organisation!

We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community; helping those with mental and physical conditions and supporting them for a better life.

Our members and volunteers provide the momentum that helps us to make these changes.

Our Head Office is based at our training centre in Fife with our Head trainer Joanne Hosie. Our Head Trainers, Christine Meaney and David Campbell, are based at The Animal Behaviour Centre in Northwich. This allows us, between both centres, to help support families throughout the whole of the UK.

Our History

The name Oliver’s Army Assistance and Therapy Dogs came about for 2 reasons.

Co Founder Joanne Hosie is Mum of six and Gran to 13. Oliver, Joanne's son, who is autistic had an assistance dog named Buddy. Joanne recognised the impacted Buddy had in Oliver's daily life. This inspired Joanne to help other families.

Also, our other Co Founder Christine Meaney had a little Labrador, Oliver, an assistance-dog-in-training. Unexpectedly he developed a brain tumour at just 14 months old and sadly passed.

Caris, Christine's granddaughter, came up with the idea to use the name Oliver's Army.

Our Team

Oliver's Army is a charitable organisation and our amazing team of volunteers are committed to guiding our families on our programme.

From aiding them train their dog to being a listening ear on those hard days, our volunteers are there to support them.

People affected by mental health often feel isolated and unable to access help. Our volunteers are there to comfort and advise. If that comprises of enjoying a cup of tea together and taking notice of what that person is going through or leading them in the direction of support needed. We will always try to do our best for our families!