ACE HOUNDS
“Gods of Strength and gentleness” *
Our Mission
The mission of Acehounds is to harness the human-animal bond (a form of communication and connection which does not rely upon spoken human words), and provide the opportunity for isolated people to reconnect with their life and their community through the use of animal assisted activities, and to encourage individual well-being and positivity for all those we work with.
Through our Visiting Dogs Programme, we aim to help people get outdoors, get mobile, get talking and to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. We particularly aim to help people with learning difficulties, autism, mental and physical conditions, older people suffering from loneliness and isolation, and people facing personal barriers such as lack of work or low self-confidence.
Our Rationale
Sigmund Freud in the nineteenth century famously pioneered the use of dogs in therapy to encourage his patients to communicate and engage in therapeutic activities. Since then, the human-animal bond, has been studied in greater depth, and put to good use in many settings from “Reading Dogs” in primary schools, to assistance dogs who can predict imminent epileptic attacks.
Elaine Sheppard has re-homed greyhounds for many years, and has experienced first-hand, the positive impact the companionship and lifestyle opportunities afforded by greyhound contact, has brought to both her volunteer staff, and to new owners.
Through our Visiting Dogs Programme, we aim to help people get outdoors, get mobile, get talking and to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. We particularly aim to help people with learning difficulties, autism, mental and physical conditions, older people suffering from loneliness and isolation, and people facing personal barriers such as lack of work or low self-confidence
Ace Hounds Friendships Dogs would like to thank East Herts Council and Stansted Airport Passenger Community for their kind donations.
*To A Black Greyhound Julien Grenfell, 1914
