Meet Poppy, our Therapy Dog 

Poppy, our beautiful Border Collie, is more than just a pet – she's a very important part of the Guided Hands support. With her incredibly intuitive nature and special way of communicating, Poppy brings a unique blend of comfort and encouragement to children struggling with a range of difficulties.

As well as being trained specifically to support people, she's naturally empathetic, picking up on feelings and offering reassurance and interaction precisely when it's needed. Her favourite game involves a ball, but she's just as happy to have a cuddle, be brushed, or simply just be around.
Poppy helps to build confidence, develop self-awareness, and encourages self-regulation, calming busy and anxious minds. She fosters positive patterns of behaviour, promotes respect and awareness of others, and offers reassurance in difficult situations, helping to overcome anxiety. Poppy also improves mood and alleviates symptoms of depression, reducing stress, and instantly putting people at ease, opening up opportunities for discussion and a way of addressing trauma or difficult experiences.

"Poppy instantly brings a sense of joy and a smile to the faces of all those she meets. My child, can't wait to spend time with her, it's the highlight of her week! She is a truly incredible therapy dog!"

A guided hands parent

"Watching my child interact with Poppy is heartwarming. It has given them confidence and a way to express themselves when words are difficult to find. They refer to her as their best friend and say that they can tell her anything!"

Another happy parent

Poppy - A heart of gold; a paw of comfort...

Poppy is a gorgeous girl with a huge heart and a very loving personality. She makes everyone feel special and calm. She is happy to play and knows lots of games that are good fun. However if a snuggle is what's needed, she is equally good at offering reassurance too depending on the circumstances. Poppy is the ideal support giving a nervous child the confidence to work towards overcoming a potentially difficult situation. She picks up on how people are feeling, responding accordingly to reduce tension and promote positivity. She provides an opportunity for self-expression and communication where there may be barriers that make this hard.

Through interactions with Poppy, children often experience improved confidence, self-awareness, and understanding of others, leading to improved emotional well-being. Her presence brings calmness, reduces stress, and helps in overcoming anxiety. She offers a successful way of addressing behavioural challenges and provides opportunities to repair relationships. She is a true companion and makes a extremely valuable contribution to our personalised support approach.