Dog Assistance In Disability
Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
for the year ending 31 March 2025
Charity Registration number 1178719
Registered Address
From 1 September 2025: The Roy Fletcher Centre 17 Cross Hill Shrewsbury SY1 1JE
Formerly:
Early World House, 7 Darwin Court, Oxon Business Park Shrewsbury SY3 5AL
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd Lloyds Bank plc 25 Kings Hill Avenue 25 Gresham Street West Malling London Kent EC2V 7HN ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner
TCA (Shrewsbury) LLP Third Floor 21 St Mary’s Street Shrewsbury SY1 1ED
Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
| Contents: | Page No |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 3 - 9 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 10 |
| Receipts and Payments Accounts | 11 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 12 - 14 |
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees of Dog Assistance In Disability (Dog A.I.D.) are pleased to present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Vision and mission
Our vision is that physically Disabled people throughout the UK will be supported to train their own pet dog as an Assistance Dog, helping them to become more independent.
Dog A.I.D.'s mission is to empower physically Disabled people to become more independent through training their own Assistance Dog in partnership with our skilled volunteer trainers.
Our Values
Openness, Fairness, Enablement, Respect, Excellence, Integrity
How we deliver our work
Dog A.I.D. supports physically Disabled people (our “clients”) to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog. We work in partnership with our U.K. wide network of professional dog trainers who generously volunteer their time and expertise to our charity. Volunteers are matched with a client and then coach them to train their own pet dog using positive, rewards-based techniques. The dog is trained to carry out tasks which will empower their owner to live more independently, working through three progressive levels of assessment before undertaking a public access test. This enables the client and their dog to access public spaces which permit Assistance Dogs.
Dog A.I.D. is a member of Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), a coalition of charities that work to the highest international standards of Assistance Dog and guide dog training and welfare. Dog A.I.D is also accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) within whose framework we work. This provides assurance that we are providing the highest standards of training and support to our clients and ensures the welfare of their dogs whilst they are training and working as an accredited Assistance Dog on our programme.
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Our activities in 2024/25
2024/25 has been challenging as the charity worked towards the goals set out in the 20232026 strategic plan adopted in 2023.
There continues to be demand for Dog A.I.Ds life changing services as we currently have 253 potential clients on our register of interest.
Our strategic plan identified four key areas of focus:
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Developing and supporting our people.
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Growing and strengthening our Dog A.I.D. community.
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Developing our organisational resilience.
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Raising awareness and income.
Developing and supporting our people
In August 2024 the Board appointed Elizabeth Drury and Louise Doran as Trustees. Louise brings significant experience with assistance dog and animal welfare organisations, and is currently a senior manager for a large animal welfare charity. Elizabeth is an experienced communication, fundraising and policy professional, working for a national charity as Head of Policy and Communications.
In September 2024 our Chair of Trustees Paul Miles resigned and was succeeded by Louise Doran. The Board have thanked Paul for his energy and direction in his role as Chair of Trustees
In September 2024 the charity recruited two key members of staff to fill the role of Programme Support Officer and a new role of Training Officer.
In September 2025, Rob Moore completed his two three-year terms as an elected Client Representative Trustee, with thanks from the Board for his support and commitment to the charity.
We continue to focus on the recruitment and retention of skilled and experienced dog trainers. In the year we have:
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Launched our peer mentoring programme. This programme has been developed by our new training advisor and is aimed at supporting qualified dog trainers who are early in their careers and want to gain volunteering experience in the Assistance Dog sector. Our peer mentoring programme provides a structured package of online training and peer support aimed at developing skills in training Assistance Dog tasks and gaining familiarity with the Dog A.I.D. programme. Our first cohort have successfully completed this programme and are now volunteering with the charity.
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Continued to offer a programme of continuing professional development activities to volunteer dog trainers including a programme of webinars from industry respected professionals, mandatory training in safeguarding and EDI (Equity, Diversity and
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Inclusion), and online peer support sessions facilitated by our experienced training advisor.
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Improved our channels of communication and engagement with trainers by providing monthly email communications bulletins, setting up a dedicated WhatsApp channel so that trainers can access “real-time” support from our team and reinstituting our Trainer of the Month programme which recognises the contribution that our volunteer trainers make to our charity.
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Developing online training resources for volunteers including “How to” guides and videos on task training and information on disabilities and conditions that our clients experience to support trainers in adapting their coaching to meet individual needs.
There are currently 63 (2024: 95) dog trainers volunteering with Dog A.I.D. Having anticipated in the strategic plan that recruitment of volunteer dog trainers was the limiting factor in our growth aspirations it has transpired that client partnerships in training has been the limiting factor this year.
Growing and strengthening our community
As of March 2025, we have 52 (2024: 74) partnerships in training, 91 (2024: 99) qualified partnerships and 15 (2024: 22) applications in progress. In this financial year we had 3 (2024. 35) Level 1 passes, 18 (2024. 25) Level 2 passes and 19 (2024. 18) Level 3 (fully qualified) passes. In addition 72 (2024: 49) annual assessments were completed.
These numbers indicate that it is proving very challenging to meet our strategic goal of doubling the number of client and dog partnerships we work with by the end of 2026. There are a number of contributory factors:
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Whilst we do have a demand for our services not all expressions of interest complete the applications process – for example the client does not meet the disability criteria, the dog is unsuitable or the prospective client changes their mind.
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In the year we have updated relevant policies and processes to improve efficiency. Examples being dog retirement policies, dog vaccination policies, robust processes to follow up on annual vet reports and annual assessments. This has resulted in greater client retirements than anticipated.
In addition to facilitating training and support for our clients, our staff team have been continuing to provide wrap around support to enable them to fully engage with the programme and supporting them for success. This has included:
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Availability of our training advisor to provide 1-2-1 support and advice for clients as they navigate their training journey.
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Peer facilitation of a clients only Facebook group where clients can find social connection and peer support.
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Engagement of our community in coproducing standardisation notes for assessments
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The development of training resources for clients for use outside of their volunteer led training sessions.
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
- A client social day where clients had the opportunity to meet their peers, trustees and staff members and contribute to the filming of a pro bono film promoting Dog A.I.D.
Over the year, we have had growing client engagement with community fundraising which has included clients leading on our attendance at Northeast Dog Fest, delivering talks about the charity in their community and holding fundraisers at garden centres and other community locations.
Developing our organisational resilience
The charity has continued its programme of updating and developing relevant policies and formalising its processes to enhance operational efficiency. This has included a review of dog welfare policies relating to vaccinations and dog retirement age to support adherence to our ADI accreditation framework.
We have continued to work with ADUK and Assistance Dog partner charities on funded project to develop a Common Outcomes Framework for measuring outcomes and demonstrating impact across the Assistance Dog sector. Our CEO has been part of a working group to pilot this framework to ensure its efficacy for smaller organisations working with owner-trained partnerships. This framework will be rolled out by the charity in 2026.
The charities policy on Free Reserves is set out in Note 6 to these accounts. At 31 March 2025 actual Free Reserves exceeded the aspirational Free Reserves; however since that date actual Free Reserves have fallen below the aspirational level. In addition to seeking funding through the usual channels, the charity is cognisant of its options for re-branding and re-launching, downsizing or merger to secure its longer term future.
The Board has closely monitored its Free Reserves and also determined the minimum value below which it may not be able to meet its financial obligations. Following the AGM on the 15[th] September 2025 it launched a six-week emergency appeal on 1 October 2025 with a target of £100,000 to support its financial stability. This was later extended to close on the 15 January 2026. Thus far this appeal has raised in excess of £80,000. The Board is now finalising detailed plans for the future of the charity.
Raising awareness and income
Dog A.I.D. would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to our community supporters who work tirelessly to raise awareness and income for the charity. These include our clients who arrange and attend fundraising events across the U.K., members of the public who are inspired to support our life-changing work.
In addition, the charity extends its appreciation to all providers of grants – both restricted and unrestricted. However, in common with the rest of the charity sector funding from these sources is becoming more challenging.
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
In 2024 the charity was awarded corporate support by Reech Media Group Limited to the value of £10,000 (excl VAT) to be taken as name and branding consultancy. This work included a new awareness film for the charity, website guidance, branding review and preparatory work on branding. The rebranding work has not yet been rolled out.
Statement of Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in setting objectives and planning activities.
Dog A.I.D. supports physically Disabled people throughout the UK to train their pets to qualify as Assistance Dogs, enabling them to live more independent lives by helping with many practical tasks, supporting them emotionally and physically, reducing isolation and care needs. By focusing on the existing pet/owner bond, long-term outcomes include:
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increased independence
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increased social interaction and self-confidence
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improved mental wellbeing
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reduction in social isolation or reliance on family members or health services
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increased opportunities, with many of our clients being able to return to work, supported by their qualified Assistance Dog
We also see reduced reliance on emergency medical interventions, carers, friends, and family over many years. Many clients, and often their carers, can also return to work.
Financial Review
In the year Dog A.I.D. generated an overall surplus of £759 (2023/24 surplus £29,175) and this comprises:
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a surplus on restricted funds of £36,858 (2023/24 a surplus of £4,292), and
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a deficit on unrestricted funds of £36,099 (2023/24 surplus £24,883).
Total income was £191,805 (2023/24 £186,055) and this includes £140,350 (2023/24 £115,334) of grants and £nil (2023/24 £30,195) of legacies.
Total expenditure was £191,046 (2023/24 £156,880) and this includes £130,060 (2023/24 £103,796) of employment costs.
At the year-end, total reserves, which includes the market value of investments held, are £182,381 (2023/24: £174,887), of these £685 (2023/24: £52,099) are Designated Funds, £82,141 (2023/24: £45,283) are Restricted Funds and £99,555 (2023/24: £77,505) are Free Reserves.
Page 7 of 14
Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
The trustees meet regularly and are responsible for:
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setting the strategic direction of Dog A.I.D. and its strategic plan;
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agreeing a set of policies for Dog A.I.D. to operate within;
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recruitment of trustees and senior staff
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approval of the annual budget and monitoring progress against that budget;
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approval of the Annual Report and Accounts; and
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managing risk.
A number of trustees are involved in the day to day operation of the charity. All staff have written job descriptions and their performance is monitored against these and their targets.
Dog A.I.D. is established under a constitution dated 7th June 2018 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The constitution requires that there are not less than three and not more than ten trustees. Previously Dog Assistance In Disability was a registered charity (registration number 1098619).
Client and Trainer representative trustees are elected at the AGM. Other trustees are appointed through open recruitment for identified skills and experience needed by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees serving during the year and to date are:
| Trustee name | Office (if any) |
Dates acted (if not for whole year) |
Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louise Doran | Chair | Appointed 30 August 2024 Appointed as Chair on 15 September 2024 |
|
| Isobel Michael | DeputyChair | ||
| Andrew Binks | Treasurer | ||
| Gillian Helen Kirkman | Client Representative |
||
| Paul Miles | Resigned as Chair on 15 September 2024 Resigned 16 September 2024 |
||
| Fran Murtaugh | Trainer Representative |
||
| Hazel Shields | Appointed 1 July2024 | ||
| Elizabeth Drury | Appointed 19 August 2024 | ||
| Robert Moore | Resigned 15 September 2025 | Client Representative |
|
| Rhiannon Moore | Appointed 16 September 2025 |
Client Representative |
Page 8 of 14
Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Dog A.I.D is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs UK (charity number 1119538) and accredited by Assistance Dogs International (a not for profit organisation registered in the United States).
From 1 April 2021 the trustees committed the charity to being a Real Living Wage employer.
Risk management
The trustees maintain a Risk Register as part of their Business Continuity and Risk Plan. This register includes:
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Reputational risk;
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Operational risk;
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Finance risk;
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Legislation / Compliance risk
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Employment risk
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External risk; and
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Governance risk
The Trustees declare that they have approved the annual report and accounts.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Signature Name Andrew Binks Louise Doran Position Treasurer Chair of Trustees Date 16 January 2026 16 January 2026
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts For the year ending 31 March 2025 Independent Examiners Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 MarGh 2025. This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordan with section 145 of the charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 145 of thal Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters l am required to stale to them in an Independent Examiners Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body. for my work or for this report. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities AGI 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sedion 14515)(bl of the Act. Independent Examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance wilh section 130 of the Acl., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connedion with the examination tc which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs C L Moelwyn-williams Bsc FCA TCA Ishrewsbury) LLP Third Floor, 21 St Mary's Street Shrewsbury Shropshire SY1 1ED Date . (qkn JCLN 2Q26 Page 10of14
Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Receipt and Payments Account to 31 March 2025
| Notes Income Charitable Trust and Foundation Grants Community Fundraising Donations Corporate Support Donated Services Legacies Charitable Activities Trading Activities Other Total Income Expenditure Employment Costs 2 Office Support Costs Donated Consultancy Costs IT Costs Premises Costs Goods for Resale Client Delivery Costs Fundraising and Events Trustee Expenses 3 Total Expenditure Net Income less Expenditure Cash balance at 1 April 2024 4 Cash balance at 31 March 2025 Investments 5 Reserves at 31 March 2025 6, 7 |
Unrestricted Funds 40,430 13,262 15,925 1,488 - - 5,640 939 2,201 79,885 77,490 15,900 - 4,015 9,277 - 9,139 163 - 115,984 -36,099 66,939 30,840 69,400 100,240 |
Restricted Funds 99,920 - - - 12,000 - - - - 111,920 52,570 12,272 12,000 1,016 2,033 - 5,171 - - 75,062 36,858 45,283 82,141 - 82,141 |
£ Total 140,350 13,262 15,925 1,488 12,000 - 5,640 939 2,201 191,805 130,060 18,172 12,000 5,031 11,310 - 14,310 163 - 191,046 759 112,222 112,981 69,400 182,381 |
2023/24 Total 115,334 16,853 11,579 2,474 - 30,195 6,785 1,800 1,035 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186,055 103,796 15,643 - 5,441 13,246 - 16,950 1,804 - |
||||
| 156,880 | ||||
| 29,175 83,047 |
||||
| 112,222 62,665 |
||||
| 174,887 |
Page 11 of 14
Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
Notes to the Accounts
1. Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared on a cash receipts and payments basis other than Investments which are shown at market value and Corporate Support where the value of the support can be readily identified and is included in appropriate classifications in both Income and Expenditure.
Restricted Funds arise where the donor stipulates what the funds are to be spent on. In the event that they are not spent as stipulated they may be returned to the donor.
Designated Funds arise where the Trustees decide to ring-fence funds for a specific purpose. In the event that they are not spent as specified they will be re-designated as unrestricted.
2. Employment Costs
| ent Costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | Average | |
| 2025 | 2024 | 2024/25 | |
| No of Employees | 5 | 4 | 4.58 |
| Full Time Equivalents | 4.7 | 3.4 | 4.18 |
No employee was paid in excess of £60,000.
Fundraising costs are estimated at £14,770 (2023/24: £11,359) and are reported in Employment Costs.
3. Trustee expenses
Trustees are not remunerated for their services and are reimbursed for expenses incurred as trustees.
A number of Trustees are also volunteer trainers or clients. The following expenses have been incurred:
| As Trustee only As Trustee and trainer/client As volunteer trainer only Total costs included in Client Delivery Costs There were no transactions with related parties. |
31 March 2025 - 31 - 31 |
31 March 2024 - 306 648 954 |
|---|---|---|
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Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
4. Investments
| 4. Investments | £ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 2025 | 31 March | 2024 | |
| Market Value |
Cost | Market Value |
Cost | |
| M&G Equities | ||||
| Investment Fund for | 69,400 | 53,000 | 62,655 | 53,000 |
| Charities |
5. Restricted Funds
Movements in Restricted Funds over the year are:
| Client partnerships in specified areas Specific staff roles Trainer workshops Client workshops Name and Brand Consultancy CRM / IT Other Total |
31 March 2024 21,650 9,780 5,957 6,896 - - 1,000 45,283 |
Receipts 23,950 56,225 - - 12,000 19,745 - 111,920 |
Payments 20,325 39,359 - 3,378 12,000 - - 75,062 |
£ 31 March 2025 25,275 26,646 5,957 3,518 - 19,745 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82,141 |
Page 13 of 14
Dog Assistance In Disability Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2025
6. Free Reserves
The charity holds Free Reserves to provide stability and as a precaution against unexpected fluctuations in incomes and expenditures and to maintain financial resilience.
The charity aims to hold a minimum of 6 months of operating costs plus any additional contractual obligations, a provision for investment valuation fluctuations and a provision for contingent liabilities as Free Reserves. Under this policy the charity aspires to hold a minimum of Free Reserves at 31 March 2025 of £85,000. In 2025/26 the charity has been holding less than these aspirational Free Reserves.
In addition the charity has a residual balance of £685 (2023/24: £2,932) from a designated fund in respect of an undertaking arising on receipt of a legacy.
Free Reserves are:
| Unrestricted Funds shown above Less: Designated Funds Free Reserves |
31 March 2025 100,240 685 99,555 |
£ 31 March 2024 129,604 52,099 77,505 |
|---|---|---|
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