A major Bristol employer has teamed up with a special charity to help bring comfort to people across the local community. Staff at Leonardo’s cyber and security site have officially chosen Therapy Dogs Nationwide as their charity partner for 2026/27. The partnership will see local teams organise a series of fundraising events and volunteering initiatives throughout the year.
Launch Event
The joint project kicked off this week with a World Cup sweepstake to help raise vital funds. Therapy Dogs Nationwide is a volunteer-run charity that brings calm dogs and their handlers into care homes, schools and hospitals. The animals provide vital comfort, companionship and stimulation to people who need it most.
Staff Engagement
Volunteers recently brought their dogs into the Bristol office to meet staff and show how these special animals can transform lives. The partnership was inspired by Bristol-based programme manager Andy Cox, who nominated the charity after volunteering with his own dog, Shelby.
Andy said: “We’re really fortunate to have a friendly dog that just loves people. When I saw first-hand the impact visits could have – especially in care homes – it was an easy decision to get involved. It’s fantastic that colleagues at Leonardo have chosen to support Therapy Dogs Nationwide and help bring that same joy to others.”
Impact on Residents
Shelby recently began visiting a local care home, where interactions with residents have become a true highlight of the week. These visits reflect the wider impact of therapy dogs in supporting wellbeing and reducing loneliness.
Workplace Involvement
The Bristol site is home to around 500 to 600 people who work in cyber and security for the UK government. The recent visit gave these staff members the perfect opportunity to see the charity's vital work first-hand. As well as raising money, local employees are being encouraged to get involved with the charity directly.
Volunteer Opportunities
The organisation relies entirely on volunteers from all walks of life. Opportunities range from dog handling to supporting roles in IT, project management, and communications. Therapy Dogs Nationwide currently works with more than 1,500 volunteers across the UK. Their simple but powerful interactions help to ease anxiety, encourage communication and provide companionship in challenging environments.
Through this new link, the Bristol workforce aims to raise awareness and vital funds to help the charity extend its reach.
