Bravehound

Founded 2016 (2016)
Founder Fiona MacDonald
Type Charitable organisation
Registration no. Scotland: SC043908
Focus Veterans, Dogs, Mental health
Location
Area served
United Kingdom
Website

www.bravehound.co.uk


Bravehound is a Scottish charity that supports former servicemen, women and their families.[1][2][3] They provide training and dogs to support veterans, some of whom have post-traumatic stress, mental health issues and physical injury. Companion dogs are provided with support for both the dog and veteran, over the dogs’ life. Weekly training sessions are free to veterans and open to everyone, as well as one to one training.[4][5][6] Bravehound is funded by the Chancellor using Libor funds.[7]

In September 2017, Bravehound was voted the UK's best Voluntary/Charity project in the National Lottery Awards.[8][9][10][11]

History

Bravehound began in 2016 as the canine wing of the Scottish charity Glen Art who support veterans and their families through various events including Theatre of War (2015 & 2018),[12][13][14]A Night To Remember (2015) featuring Dr Bill Frankland in support of the Parachute Regiment [15][16] and a 2016 memorial concert celebrating the life of Sir Nicholas Winton in support of Syrian refugees.[17][18]

Misssion

Bravehound provides companion dogs to veterans and then provide support for both the dog and veteran over the dogs’ life.[19] Bravehound aims to match suitable veterans with companion dogs in order to support the transition into civilian life.[20] Where possible and suitable they look to re-home dogs from an animal welfare charity.

They offer the opportunity to own a dog and then get expert support in training the dog, to whatever level is required. As well as training and supporting veterans, prior to receiving the dog, Bravehound support the veterans with pet insurance, feeding, and equipment.[21]

Activities

Bravehound's first dog Irma was paired with a veteran of 22 years military service.[22] At the 2017 Animal Hero Awards hosted by Amanda Holden, Irma received the prize for 'Caring Animal Of The Year'.[23]

Bravehound have worked with veteran David Heyhoe in developing their training programme - Heyhoe’s dog Treo was awarded the Dickin Medal in 2010 for his life-saving work in Afghanistan;[24][25] the Wilfred Owen Association to commemorate the World War I poet's centenary[26] and with Damien Lewis & Jason Morgan at the Honourable Artillery Company to discuss their book A Dog Called Hope [27] to raise awareness for assistance dogs.[28][29]

Scent of a nightmare : Bravehound are involved in scientific research into the way dogs use their senses, especially their acute sense of smell to detect the changing moods in humans. The research is being led by Robert Hewings, a former soldier and police officer at the UK College of Scent Dogs. [30][31][32]

Awards

2017 'Caring Animal Of The Year' at the Animal Hero Awards.[22]
2017 UK's 'Best Voluntary/Charity Project' in the National Lottery Awards.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dogs help veterans cope with post-traumatic stress". BBC Scotland. 24 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Bravehound dog companions help veterans cope with PTSD". Daily Express. 1 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Veterans charity providing dogs for ex-servicemen". Daily Record (Scotland). 23 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "UK Lottery Projects - COMBATING PTSD". Veterans Foundation. 3 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "British Army hero working with the Scottish charity Bravehound". Daily Mirror. 24 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "A dog is mans best friend". This Morning ITV (Vimeo hosting). 20 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Vets with pets make transition a safer bet". Armed Forces Covenant. 30 March 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Bravehounds are top dogs in National Lottery Awards". National Lottery Good Causes. 21 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "Bravehound wins 'Best Charity' in the National Lottery Awards". The Confederation of Service Charities (Cobseo). 24 August 2017.
  10. ↑ "Bravehound Wins 'Best Charity' at National Lottery Awards". Armed Forces Charities. 19 September 2017.
  11. ↑ "Dog charity helps military veterans". The Herald (Glasgow). 21 August 2017.
  12. ↑ "Eddie Mair-BBC Radio4 PM Show - Theatre of War". BBC Radio4. 28 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "New War on Stress is all Greek to us" (PDF). Daily Record. 26 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "Army turns to Greek tragedy to help troops open up about PTSD". The Telegraph. 13 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "Discovering Glen Art". Creative Scotland (Executive NDPB of the Scottish Government). 11 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "A Night To Remember". Glen Art memorial service at St Dunstan-in-the-West (video). 11 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "Concert celebrating Sir Nicholas Winton to raise funds for Syrian refugees". Jewish News. March 16, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Birmingham musicians honour 'British Schindler'". Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 6 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "My dog helped me through the dark times". Daily Record (Scotland). 27 August 2017.
  20. ↑ "Bracken the Spaniel is giving military man Jimmy a new leash of life". The Sunday Post. 5 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "National Lottery present award to charity". BBC1 Invictus Games (Vimeo hosting). 1 October 2017.
  22. 1 2 "Irma - Animal Hero 2017". Animal Hero Awards. 7 September 2017.
  23. ↑ "Meet the inspiring winners at the Animal Hero Awards 2017". Irish Independent. 7 September 2017.
  24. ↑ "Discovering Glen Art". Creative Scotland. 11 November 2015.
  25. ↑ "Soldiering On - Dave Heyhoe and incredibly brave dog Treo DM". Daily Express. 1 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Legendary 'ghost' war poet returns to meet today's veterans". Daily Record (Scotland). 27 June 2017.
  27. ↑ Jason Morgan & Damien Lewis (2016). A Dog Called Hope. Quercus Publishing. ISBN 978-1-784-29716-9.
  28. ↑ "A Dog Called Hope". All events in London. 20 June 2016.
  29. ↑ "Interview with Jason Morgan, Fiona MacDonald and Paul Wilkie". Live at Five STV2 (Vimeo hosting). 20 June 2017.
  30. ↑ "Bravehound: the dogs giving war veterans a lift". BBC World Service. 26 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "Sniffer dogs and the smell of nightmares". The Naked Scientists. 24 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "Scent of a Nightmare". www.bravehound.co.uk. 28 April 2018.
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