Extra Donation for Give-back project

This is your chance for an additional DONATION towards the implementation of our small-scale give-back projects.

In 2026, the first project is:

PSD DOGS – Establishing a volunteer “Puppy Socializer” Programme for training of Psychiatric Service dogs (PSD) in Slovenia

Slovenia faces a significant mental health challenge across all age groups. Research by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ, 2025) shows that 28,1% of adults aged 18-74 likely experience mental health problems, with 11% exhibiting elevated anxiety symptoms and 8% at risk of depressive disorder. Young adults (18-29) are particularly vulnerable, with 26,8% reporting mental health issues and 15,7% experiencing anxiety, while women and individuals with poor financial situations face elevated risk (13,7% and 37,4%, respectively). Post-COVID trends show child mental health referrals have increased by 41% yet first appointment waiting times have risen to 16-10 months, highlighting a pressing need for complementary community-based support.

In the USA and some European countries, Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs) are an effective non-clinical support mechanism. These dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help the individual manage symptoms and increase their ability to function in daily life. Their key tasks include providing deep pressure therapy to reduce anxiety, interrupting flashbacks, offering night-time reassurance during nightmares; calming their owner in crowded or stressful environments and alerting to rising stress. These dogs are complementary to clinical treatment, supporting individuals´ psychological stability and community participation.

A “puppy socializer” programme is a structured volunteer-based system in which carefully selected volunteers raise and socialize puppies that are destined to become assistance or service dogs. The goal is to provide early socialization, basic obedience training, environmental exposure and behavioural stability during the critical developmental period before the dog enters professional advanced training.

In many countries, such as the USA, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, assistance dog organizations rely on trained volunteers who raise puppies in their homes under professional supervision and follow standardized training guidelines. Volunteers work closely with certified trainers, receive structured education, and document the puppy´s development. This model is highly beneficial because it distributes responsibility across the community, increases social awareness of assistance dog programs, improves puppy socialization through exposure to everyday environments, and significantly reduces operational costs for organizations while ensuring high-quality early development for future service dogs.

Our project will develop and pilot a structured, competence-based puppy raiser programme for PSDs in Slovenia, building on cross-border knowledge transfer with highly experienced Croatian and Italian partner organizations.

This project is highly complex and covers:

• implementation of legislative changes,
• establishment of long-term professional dog training programmes,
• establishment of a volunteer “Puppy Socializer” programme for individuals and families, with specific training and mentoring throughout the entire process by professional dog trainers,
• establishment of a national, long-term collaboration with medical professionals,
• and of course – creating a funding scheme for covering the costs of socializing and professionally training future Psychiatric Service dogs (PSD).

How you can also help:

• Promote this project through your networks,
• Donate to this project as an individual or as a business,
• Join the project as a volunteer “Puppy raiser”,
• Join the project as a professional dog trainer,
• Join the project as a medical professional.