Two clever canines ready to transform the lives of dementia sufferers and their families after completing training.

‘Exciting time’ for project as clever canines have come through two years of intensive training

They can carry out an array of tasks for people living with dementia, from retrieving medication to even helping them get dressed.

And after completing specialist training, two smart canine siblings will transform the lives of people living with the condition in Courier Country.

Labradors Webb and Willow are now ready to settle down with two families living with dementia.

The brother and sister have finished two years of training through the Dementia Dog Project.

They have learned to carry out key tasks to assist people, from opening doors, to helping them remove articles of clothing and even stay hydrated.

Their training has been completed with the help of inmates at HMP Castle Huntly in Longforgan, who have been preparing for life back in the outside world by helping equip the dogs for life with dementia sufferers.

Dementia Dog Project manager Fiona Corner said Webb and Willow reaching this stage is a “really exciting milestone” for the charity, which began life in 2012.

She added: “These dogs have come through two years of specialised training and they are rather special dogs because these are assistance dogs, that are trained specially to help someone who is diagnosed with dementia.

“They are now at the point in their

They are now at the point in their training where they have completed all their tasks and their skills and we are looking for a special home for them in the Dundee or surrounding area

training where they have completed all their tasks and their skills and we are looking for a special home for them in the Dundee or surrounding area.”

Webb and Willow are two of eight dogs that will be placed through the scheme in the next few years.

Ms Corner added: “This is a really exciting time. We’re just a small project.

“The kind of people we are looking to register interest for these dogs would ideally be a couple who are still living at home, where one person may have recently received a diagnosis of dementia or still be in the early stages of dementia and are living full-time with their carer, have a fenced garden and love dogs.

“You don’t need to have previously owned a dog in order to apply and these dogs are provided completely free of charge with all support and training provided through the dementia dog project team.”

To qualify for a dog, a person must have recently received a diagnosis of dementia or be in the early stages. They must also live full-time with their carer.

Anyone who fits this criteria should contact the charity at bark@dementia dog.org or call 07876 848 022.