Happy Gotcha Day, Jasmine — Celebrating Our Time as Dog Breeding Volunteers for Canine Partners
On 1 May 2025, we marked a very special day in our household — our beloved black Labrador, Jasmine, officially retired from her role with the assistance dog charity Canine Partners, and we adopted her as our own family dog.
It’s hard to put into words what this moment means to us, but we want to honour Jasmine’s work, celebrate the incredible charity we’ve supported for the last five years, and encourage others to consider volunteering too.
Our Journey Begins
Jasmine came into our lives on 17 October 2019, when she was just 1 year and 8 months old. We had volunteered to become dog breeding volunteers for Canine Partners, and Jasmine was our brood bitch — a term used for a female dog chosen to have puppies that will grow up to be trained as assistance dogs.
As her volunteer carers, we welcomed her into our home and hearts, providing a stable, loving environment for her to live and, when the time came, to raise her puppies. Jasmine has lived as a cherished member of our family ever since — but with a very special role to play.
Why We Chose to Volunteer
We’d long admired the work of Canine Partners, a national charity that trains assistance dogs to support people living with physical disabilities. These dogs help with everyday tasks — like opening doors, fetching dropped items, dressing and undressing, retrieving medication, and even raising the alarm in an emergency. But beyond the practical support, they also offer emotional reassurance, independence, and confidence.
By volunteering as breeding hosts, we knew we could be part of that life-changing process in a really meaningful way.
Jasmine’s Legacy
Over the past five years, Jasmine has had three litters and given birth to 13 beautiful puppies. Each of those pups has gone on to begin the next stage of their journey — with professional training that will prepare them to become trusted, skilled companions to people in need.
We were there for every moment: through pregnancy, birth, late-night feeds, puppy milestones, and eventually, the bittersweet goodbyes as they left for training. Saying goodbye was never easy — each pup left a pawprint on our hearts. But knowing the life-changing work they’d go on to do made it all so worthwhile.
Jasmine has now officially retired from breeding, and she’s staying right where she belongs — with us, as our much-loved pet.
The Reality of Volunteering
It’s important to be honest — this role is no small commitment. It takes time, patience, dedication, and plenty of emotional resilience. There are joyful moments, but also hard days. You have to be available, adaptable, and deeply invested in the welfare of the dog and her pups.
But if you’re looking for something that’s genuinely rewarding — that makes a real, tangible difference — then volunteering for Canine Partners could be one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do.
Could You Be a Volunteer?
Whether you’re considering becoming a dog breeding volunteer, a puppy parent, or supporting the charity in other ways, we wholeheartedly recommend getting involved. You’ll be joining a community of passionate, supportive people — and you’ll be part of something so much bigger than yourself.
We’re proud of what Jasmine has achieved. Proud of the part we played in helping her pups become heroes. And so grateful to Canine Partners for the care, guidance, and trust they’ve shown us every step of the way.
Jasmine, thank you for your service. Your legacy lives on through the lives your pups will change. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, sweet girl. You’ve more than earned it. 🐾💜
👉 Learn more about volunteering with Canine Partners: https://caninepartners.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/
