PTSD: the power of dogs and the positivity of helping comrades
By Garry Botterill, 2021
Fellow’s Profile
Garry Botterill
Fellow’s Profile
Garry Botterill
PTSD: the power of dogs and the positivity of helping comrades
Fellowship
Themes
Focus
Improving care and recovery for those experiencing PTSD through specialist assistance dogs
Countries
Fellowship year
2015
Supported by
Locality
South East
Biography
I am a founder, trustee and Operations Director of Service Dogs UK, which is a charity that was set up in 2015 following my Churchill Fellowship to the USA and the Netherlands to research the best methods of providing specially trained assistance dogs for veterans of the armed forces and emergency services with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I completed the Fellowship so I could help my colleagues with PTSD from both the military and the emergency services. I had seen first-hand how devastating PTSD can be to those that have served and their families, and I knew that dogs could make a difference.
My role at the charity is a voluntary one and I manage a team of enthusiastic trainers and volunteers. The charity has recently opened two further hubs on the south coast.
As a result of my Fellowship research I gave presentations about PTSD locally and nationally. I am a police sergeant, and co-developed the first police mental health app Backup Buddy. I am now the national lead for wellbeing and trauma support dogs within the police and fire and rescue service.
My Fellowship has been key to enabling me to help those who have been injured through the service they have given.
Ideas
Activity
February 2024 Fellow's update: Garry Botterill
Garry Botterill (CF 2015), Founder and Operations Director of Service Dogs UK, represented his charity at the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group to discuss the state of dog in rescue in the UK.
By Garry Botterill, 2024
Changing lives, two at a time
By Garry Botterill, 2022
March 2022 Fellows' update: Garry Botterill
The work of Garry Botterill (CF 2015) and his charity Service Dogs UK was featured in an article in the April issue of Your Dog magazine. Garry co-founded the charity following his Fellowship, which explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2022
October 2021 Fellows' update: Garry Botterill
The charity set up by Garry Botterill (CF 2015), Service Dogs UK, has become the first PTSD Assistance Dog Charity in the UK to achieve accreditation by Assistance Dogs International. Garry co-founded the charity following his Fellowship, which explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
September 2021 Fellows' update: Garry Botterill
The charity set up by Garry Botterill (CF 2015), Service Dogs UK, received a Royal visit from The Duke of Kent on 23 September. Garry co-founded the charity following his Fellowship, which explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
Health and wellbeing: Garry Botterill
By Garry Botterill, 2021
May 2021 Fellow's update: Garry Botterill
Charity founder Garry Botterill (CF 2015) launched a new national network of wellbeing and trauma support dogs this month that provide mental health support to police forces across the UK. Garry's Fellowship explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
February 2021 Fellow's update: Garry Botterill
The charity of police sergeant Garry Botterill (CF 2016), Service Dogs UK, was published in the West Sussex Gazette on 9 February. Garry’s Fellowship explored how assistance dogs can help veterans with PTSD, and he used these findings to develop the work of this charity.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Ideas
PTSD: the power of dogs and the positivity of helping comrades
By Garry Botterill, 2021
Activity
February 2024 Fellow's update: Garry Botterill
Garry Botterill (CF 2015), Founder and Operations Director of Service Dogs UK, represented his charity at the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group to discuss the state of dog in rescue in the UK.
By Garry Botterill, 2024
Changing lives, two at a time
By Garry Botterill, 2022
March 2022 Fellows' update: Garry Botterill
The work of Garry Botterill (CF 2015) and his charity Service Dogs UK was featured in an article in the April issue of Your Dog magazine. Garry co-founded the charity following his Fellowship, which explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2022
October 2021 Fellows' update: Garry Botterill
The charity set up by Garry Botterill (CF 2015), Service Dogs UK, has become the first PTSD Assistance Dog Charity in the UK to achieve accreditation by Assistance Dogs International. Garry co-founded the charity following his Fellowship, which explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
September 2021 Fellows' update: Garry Botterill
The charity set up by Garry Botterill (CF 2015), Service Dogs UK, received a Royal visit from The Duke of Kent on 23 September. Garry co-founded the charity following his Fellowship, which explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
Health and wellbeing: Garry Botterill
By Garry Botterill, 2021
May 2021 Fellow's update: Garry Botterill
Charity founder Garry Botterill (CF 2015) launched a new national network of wellbeing and trauma support dogs this month that provide mental health support to police forces across the UK. Garry's Fellowship explored how specially trained assistance dogs can support PTSD sufferers.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
February 2021 Fellow's update: Garry Botterill
The charity of police sergeant Garry Botterill (CF 2016), Service Dogs UK, was published in the West Sussex Gazette on 9 February. Garry’s Fellowship explored how assistance dogs can help veterans with PTSD, and he used these findings to develop the work of this charity.
By Garry Botterill, 2021
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
