Supporting People and Their Dogs Through Homelessness

For many people experiencing homelessness, a dog is more than a companion; they are family, emotional support, and a source of stability during extremely tough times. That is why at HARP, we are incredibly proud of our partnership with Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness project.

In August, this partnership was given a special spotlight when filming took place at the Bradbury Centre for the Christmas special of Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake.

Why Dogs Matter to People Experiencing Homelessness

For people facing homelessness, being separated from a beloved pet can mean refusing accommodation altogether. Dogs provide comfort, routine, protection, and unconditional companionship, yet many services are unable to support people with pets.

This is a real barrier to safety and stability, and one we are committed to removing.

How Our Partnership with Dogs Trust Helps

Since May 2023, HARP has been part of Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness scheme, which helps us welcome people and their dogs into our services safely and responsibly.

Through this partnership, dogs and cats staying in HARP properties receive:

• Free flea and worming treatment
• Health checks
• Ongoing welfare support
• Special treats and essentials, including Christmas goodies.

This support allows people to access accommodation without having to make the heartbreaking choice between a roof over their head and their pet.

A Day of Filming at the Bradbury Centre

In August, the Bradbury Centre became home for the day to the production team from Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake. Filming focused on the Together Through Homelessness scheme and the real experiences of people and dogs benefiting from it.

HARP Communications Coordinator Gary Starky reflected on the experience “Organising the day was nerve-wracking, we knew it took courage for people to agree to take part and hoped they would still feel comfortable on the day. We were blown away by the turnout.

When we arrived that morning, the centre was already full of dogs, not because of filming, but because of our ongoing partnership with Dogs Trust. One of the newest arrivals, Narla, a Shar Pei cross, quickly settled in with her owner, taking time to rest and recharge in a safe, welcoming space.”

Meeting Pete Wicks

Head of Rough Sleeping Services Fiona Radnor and Front of House Coordinator Natalie Carey welcomed Pete to the centre and gave him a tour before he spent time talking with our service users and their dogs. Each dog received a box of goodies from Pete and the Dogs Trust team.

“It was lovely to have the opportunity to share the work of HARP with Pete. He was brilliant with the people he spoke to and created a safe space for them to share their experiences and feelings. We truly appreciated the thoughtful and compassionate approach he brought to the day.” Said Fiona.

“It was very exciting to meet Pete and see how passionate he is about dogs. He showed our service users compassion and took time to talk to everyone. Pete showed a keen interest in the work we do and thanked us for our hard work and dedication.” added Natalie.

The Reality Behind the Scenes

It was a long day, with lots of waiting around while filming took place. But everyone involved showed patience, generosity, and courage in sharing their stories and we’re incredibly grateful to all who took part.

Learn More About Together Through Homelessness

You can see the Christmas special of Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake on streaming service ‘U’ along with seasons 1 and 2.

If you’d like to find out more about Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness scheme and how it helps people and their dogs stay together during homelessness, you can read more at www.dogstrusthopeproject.org.uk

Supporting people means supporting the things that matter most to them, including their pets. Thank you to Dogs Trust, Pete Wicks, and everyone who helped make this day possible.