Therapy Dogs Nationwide Trustees’ Annual Report 2024/2025
Objectives and Activities
Therapy Dogs Nationwide is a volunteer-led charity. Our aim is to improve lives through the comfort and companionship of therapy dogs.
We are not just an animal charity. We are a people charity. Our dogs are the bridge that allows us to reach people who may otherwise feel cut off, forgotten, or alone.
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We support a wide range of people:
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Patients in hospitals and hospices.
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Older people in care and residential homes.
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Prisoners working on rehabilitation.
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People in the community who feel isolated, anxious, or in need of kindness.
Our work is possible because of our trained volunteers, who give their free time. We currently have a presence in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Jersey, making us a truly national charity.
Achievements and Performance
This year has seen both growth and pressure.
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We have over 2,000 registered volunteers delivering regular visits.
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TDN Dogs reach 5,000 people every week.
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Visits took place in 59 prisons, supporting rehabilitation and well-being.
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Justice and HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
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Our Bark & Read program ran in 704 schools, helping children develop literacy skills, build confidence, and overcome anxiety around learning.
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We responded to requests from 551 corporate organisations, while always prioritising community settings.
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Volunteers provided visits to 339 hospitals and 1,814 care and residential homes.
This year we invited selected organisations to sponsor our Volunteer Awards, which were presented at Crufts. We are especially grateful to Equafleece, Leucilin, Bella & Duke, Sphere, PetsPyjamas, Funky Paws,
Therapy Dogs Nationwide Registered Charity N[o.] 1167622 tdn.org.uk
Trustees: Eileen Slattery, Eileen Hodge, Mary Oliver MBE, Leisl de Lafontaine, Emma Karniewicz, Huw Williams
McDermotts Construction, Whimzees, and Feelwells. Their support enabled us to celebrate exceptional work within the charity and provide eight winners with goodie bags and trophies.
Human Impact
Behind the numbers are countless personal stories.
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In hospice care: A nurse at St Barnabas Hospice in Lincoln told us, “As a nurse I can ease pain and distress with medicines, but Doodah the therapy dog brought joy and comfort in a way I cannot. One patient said it was the happiest part of their day.”
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In prisons: One prisoner shared, “I was ready to give up. Meeting Misty the therapy dog gave me hope. She did not judge me for my past mistakes. She made me feel safe, valued, and supported. I now look forward to my weekly sessions. Therapy dogs make a huge difference in helping us feel human again.”
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of books. Reading aloud to a dog creates a safe, non-judgmental space that helps children grow.
These examples show the unique way therapy dogs reach people. The visits change lives in quiet but powerful ways.
Demand continues to increase year on year. In 2024/25 we received 1,782 requests for visits.
and care homes remained our priority.
We also received over 500 requests for one-off visits, highlighting both demand and the need for new resources.
loneliness. Services everywhere are stretched. Therapy dog visits are often one of the few things people look forward to.
Financial Review
Our total income in 2024/25 was £107,142.
Our total expenditure was £114,624.
The largest areas of expenditure were:
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administrators covering placements and bookkeeping.
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Uniform costs – which increase as volunteer numbers grow, since uniforms are purchased and resold to volunteers.
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number of volunteers.
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Professional fees – covering accountancy and consultancy services.
Therapy Dogs Nationwide Registered Charity N[o.] 1167622 tdn.org.uk Trustees: Eileen Slattery, Eileen Hodge, Mary Oliver MBE, Leisl de Lafontaine, Emma Karniewicz, Huw Williams
This spending reflects the pressure of managing a growing national charity with very limited paid staff. If we had to pay the full value of the volunteer work being done, our staffing bill would be over £120,000 per year. This is beyond our current income.
new and sustainable fundraising streams.
Structure, Governance and Management
Therapy Dogs Nationwide is led by a Board of Trustees. In January 2025, two new trustees joined, Emma Karnawicz & Huw Williams. They bring new energy, vision, and expertise to help us move forward.
The charity employs one full-time member of staff, supported by several self-employed administrators.
The majority of operational work is done by volunteers, including local coordinators who organise visits and provide essential links to their communities.
We follow safeguarding policies and maintain high standards in training and professional conduct. Volunteers who do not meet these standards are asked to step down, to protect the reputation of the charity and the safety of those we serve.
Future Plans
TDN has grown rapidly. To remain strong and sustainable we must now build capacity.
Our priorities for 2025/26 are:
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Funding staff – to secure a development worker and support our office manager, freeing up time for fundraising and grant applications.
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Volunteer retention and support – through new liaison roles and better communication.
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Fundraising growth – building corporate partnerships, seeking grants, and considering structured charges for corporate visits.
We also have clear ambitions for the future:
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Expand into Doncaster Royal, Rotherham General, and North Lincoln hospitals (grant awarded for 2025/26).
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Invest in a professional presence at outside summer events with branded equipment.
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Strengthening IT and digital systems to support volunteers nationwide.
These projects cannot be delivered without additional funding, but they remain our vision.
Public Beneft
The trustees confirm that Therapy Dogs Nationwide has complied with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Therapy Dogs Nationwide Registered Charity N[o.] 1167622 tdn.org.uk
Trustees: Eileen Slattery, Eileen Hodge, Mary Oliver MBE, Leisl de Lafontaine, Emma Karniewicz, Huw Williams
disadvantage. The charity exists to serve people, using therapy dogs as the tool to open doors, create trust, and bring comfort.
Conclusion
2024/25 has been a year of both success and challenge. We are proud of what our volunteers and their dogs have achieved. Thousands of people each week feel less alone because of a therapy dog visit.
We also recognise the pressures ahead. Demand continues to grow. Cash flow is tight. We need to invest in staff and systems to ensure the charity remains strong.
Despite this, the future is full of hope. We have a dedicated volunteer base, a national reach, and powerful evidence of the difference we make. With support, Therapy Dogs Nationwide can grow, remain sustainable, and continue to change lives.
Signed:
Leisl de Lafontaine
Trustee
Therapy Dogs Nationwide Registered Charity N[o.] 1167622 tdn.org.uk Trustees: Eileen Slattery, Eileen Hodge, Mary Oliver MBE, Leisl de Lafontaine, Emma Karniewicz, Huw Williams
Statement of Financial Position
Therapy Dogs Nationwide
As of March 31, 2025
| DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT | TOTAL |
|---|---|
| Called up share capital not paid | |
| Fixed Asset | |
| Tangible assets | |
| Computer Equipment | 5,085.76 |
| Computer Hardware | 8,208.81 |
| Total for Tangible assets | £13,294.57 |
| Non-current Assets | |
| Total for Fixed Asset | £13,294.57 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | |
| BUSINESS CURRENT ACCOUNT (3616) | 937.81 |
| BUSINESS SAVINGS ACCOUNT (2489) | 10,017.00 |
| Cash Floats | |
| PAYPAL TDN Account | 4,691.27 |
| Total for Cash at bank and in hand | £15,646.08 |
| Debtors | |
| Debtors | |
| Total for Debtors | 0 |
| Current Assets | |
| Office Equipment | 1,063.01 |
| Undeposited Funds | 5.00 |
| Total for Current Assets | £1,068.01 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | £16,714.09 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | |
| Trade Creditors | |
| Credit Cards | |
| Current Liabilities | |
| Payroll Liabilities | -£2.00 |
| Employment Allowance | -1,043.95 |
| HMRC | 2,432.11 |
| Nest Scheme | 1,340.85 |
| Pension | -904.05 |
| Total for Payroll Liabilities | £1,822.96 |
| Total for Current Liabilities | £1,822.96 |
| Total for Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | £1,822.96 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | £14,891.13 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | £28,185.70 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year | |
| Provision for liabilities and charges | |
| Accruals and deferred income | |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | £28,185.70 |
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Statement of Financial Position
Therapy Dogs Nationwide
As of March 31, 2025
| DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT | TOTAL |
|---|---|
| Capital and Reserves | |
| Called up share capital | |
| Retained Earnings | 1,560.11 |
| Net Income | -7,482.22 |
| OpeningBalance Equity | 34,107.81 |
| Total for Capital and Reserves | £28,185.70 |
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Statement of Activity
Therapy Dogs Nationwide
April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025
| DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT | TOTAL |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| Annual Subscription | 23,943.31 |
| Donations | £2,583.66 |
| 300 Club | 3,377.47 |
| Donation - 3rd Party | 34,519.72 |
| Donation - Crufts | 1,206.49 |
| Donation - Fundraising | 3,199.95 |
| Donation - Legacy | 6,143.78 |
| Donations - Bow Ties | 5,276.05 |
| Gift Aid | 702.84 |
| Just Giving | 2,299.61 |
| Stickers | 246.31 |
| Total for Donations | £59,555.88 |
| Interest Charged | 324.71 |
| Other Income from GoCardless | 200.00 |
| PayPal Income | 1,720.96 |
| SumUp Income | 0.98 |
| Unapplied Cash Payment Income | 387.00 |
| Uniform Sales | 0 |
| Pre-loved Uniform Sold | 100.00 |
| Uniform Sales - online | 20,909.35 |
| Total for Uniform Sales | £21,009.35 |
| Total for Income | £107,142.19 |
| Cost of Sales | |
| Gross Profit | £107,142.19 |
| Expenses | |
| Admin Costs | £125.00 |
| Advertising/Promotional | 42.00 |
| Computer - Hardware | 0 |
| Computer - Support | 12,208.27 |
| Total for Computer - Hardware | £12,208.27 |
| Computer - Software | 1,377.01 |
| Phone Costs | 55.00 |
| Total for Admin Costs | £13,807.28 |
| Bank Charges | £4.55 |
| GoCardless Fees | 53.49 |
| Total for Bank Charges | £58.04 |
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Statement of Activity
Therapy Dogs Nationwide
April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025
| DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT | TOTAL |
|---|---|
| Fundraising Expenses | £65.77 |
| Crufts | £674.41 |
| Hire Purchase | 455.00 |
| Hotels | 4,160.53 |
| Stands/Kennel Club | 8,189.99 |
| Stationery | 4.99 |
| Sundries | 91.53 |
| Travel & Subsistence | 498.78 |
| Total for Crufts | £14,075.23 |
| Printing- leaflets & business cards etc | 976.99 |
| Total for Fundraising Expenses | £15,117.99 |
| Insurance | 3,341.79 |
| Office/General Administrative Expenses | 46.00 |
| PayPal Fees | 1,092.05 |
| Payroll Expenses | 0 |
| Pension | 990.65 |
| Taxes | 1,271.00 |
| Wages | 29,558.56 |
| Total for Payroll Expenses | £31,820.21 |
| Printing, Postage & Stationery | 5,763.25 |
| Professional Fees | £541.67 |
| Accountancy Fees | 7,687.71 |
| Admin Consultancy Fees - Faye Lindsey | 1,937.76 |
| Admin Consultancy Fees - Helen Humphreys | 5,250.00 |
| Admin ConsultancyFees - Sarah McTighe | 6,921.50 |
| Total for Professional Fees | £22,338.64 |
| Subscriptions | 917.12 |
| SumUp Fees | 6.46 |
| Sundry Expenses | 307.86 |
| Uncategorised Expense | -9.89 |
| Uniform Purchase | 0 |
| Dog Clothing/Accessories | 5,850.06 |
| Dog Collars & Leads | 2,245.93 |
| Lanyards/miscellaneous | 477.70 |
| Volunteers Clothing | 11,128.14 |
| Total for Uniform Purchase | £19,701.83 |
| Website | 315.78 |
| Total for Expenses | £114,624.41 |
| Net Operating Income | -£7,482.22 |
| Other Income | |
| Other Expenses | |
| Net Other Income | 0 |
| Net Income | -£7,482.22 |
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Therapy Dogs Nationwide On accounts for the year 31 March 2025 Charity no 1167622 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 / 03 / 2025
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 30/10/2025 Signed: Name: Mark Wall ~~Ps~~ Relevant professional FCPA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: M W Accounting Ltd Unit 5 Basepoint Business Centre, Caxton Close Andover, SP10 3FG
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .