The Buddy Dog Programme has been running now for two years and to date has proved to have been 100% successful, with all the dogs qualifying as assistance dogs with children and adults living with physical disabilities throughout Ireland.

Shelton Abbey is set on a 60 acre farm with lots of woodlands, gardens, paddocks and lakes for the dogs to enjoy. Each dog is assigned to a specific inmate and sleeps beside their bed at night. They are required to attend training and assessment classes weekly.

Jennifer Dowler, CEO at Irish Dogs For The Disabled, said: “Without the support of the Irish Prison Services and specifically the Governor, staff and inmates of Shelton Abbey, Dogs for the Disabled would be unable to produce the amount of assistance dogs we do—20 assistance dogs annually.

“Although programmes like this are in operation in America and Australia it is almost unheard of in Europe. I would like to personally take this opportunity to say thank you to all those that have made this programme the success it is. Creating the perfect assistance dog that we produce requires a lot of time, energy, love and money invested in them from the people in their lives—breeders, puppy socialisers, trainers and all funded by our loyal volunteers across the country.”

Presenting the donation at PayPal's Dublin office, Louise Phelan, PayPal's Vice President of Global Operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa met two Buddy Dog recipients Elizabeth and Cillian and later said: “It was great to meet Elizabeth and Cillian and hear how their dogs Bart and Flynn have helped change their lives. I'm really proud that PayPal is supporting this great cause. Irish Dogs for the Disabled is solely reliant on donations to fund their assistance and therapy dog services.”

You can support Irish Dogs for the Disabled by texting 'PUPS' to 50300 to donate €4 today.