July 2021
NATURO PETFOOD LAUNCHES HUMAN & PET ‘HOUND-SELLING’ SERVICE
JOINT OWNER AND DOG RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING TO EASE POST-LOCKDOWN TRANSITION
Local Armagh business Mackle Petfoods owners of Naturo Natural Pet food have launched the first ever joint human and dog counselling service this week, following research that indicates a third (33%) of pet parents are concerned about their dog suffering from post-lockdown anxiety.
The new service, designed by Naturo, will help ease the tricky transition back into post-lockdown life for pet parents concerned about their dogs adjusting to the ‘new normal’ in 2021.
Dubbed ‘hound-selling’, the unique classes will combine both canine and human therapy practices and specialist content to address pet parent problems from both sides, with a series of solutions-focused group sessions.
Naturo has launched the service after conducting research with pet parents across the country, understanding the challenges they think they’ll face coming out of lockdown. Three in ten (29%) share concerns about how their pooch will adjust to the ‘new normal’, with two in five (39%) worried about leaving their dog alone more often and a third (33%) concerned about their dog suffering from separation anxiety.
A large three in five (59%) admit they’ve found spending more time with their pet challenging due to them wanting more attention (38%) and daily interruptions such as barking on video calls (24%).
As a result of the findings, Naturo is working with renowned dog behaviourist, and television personality, Leon Towers, alongside psychotherapist Jax Beatty on a series of bespoke relationship counselling sessions. The sessions are designed for pet parents facing challenges post-lockdown and will help strengthen and harmonise this unique relationship.
Both Leon and Jax will offer tailored advice for each pet and pet parent with this solutions-driven counselling service to help them move forward in their journey out of lockdown and to develop their bond even further.
The three key topics that will be covered across the sessions, and which are applicable to both dog and their human will be: separation anxiety, new relationships, and renewed expectations of pet parenthood.
Leon Towers, dog behaviourist and television personality commented:
“This unique service from Naturo will be welcomed with open arms worldwide! Dog owners have spent over a year in lockdown and are at a loss what to do, how to cope, not knowing how to deal with issues such as separation anxiety and relationship breakdowns.
“Facing the new world as the ‘new normal’ is such a frightening and vulnerable situation for dogs and owners to be in. Naturo is a saviour to dog owners by providing this critical service to enable owners to make the transition back into everyday life and I look forward to supporting them with the launch of the hound-selling sessions.”
Lauren Toal, Brand Manager for Naturo commented: “At Naturo we know how important the relationship between pet and pet parent is. To many it is just as, or even more important than their relationship with family and friends.
“We hope that by launching the first ever joint human and pet counselling service, we can not only shine a light on the incredible bond between dogs and their pet parents, but also give pet parents the opportunity to work on their canine relationships, after what has been an incredibly tough year.”
The Relationship Hound-selling sessions are being offered by Naturo free of charge via a competition on their website and are available to all UK and Ireland dog owners.
Aside from the competition, to check out some expert tips and tricks to help manage the pet owner relationship even better, visit the Naturo blog for further information.
July 2021
02 July 2021
Community Foundation Northern Ireland opens £10m Mental Health Support Fund.
The Community Foundation Northern Ireland will this week (5 July 2021) open the final of three health related funds to support the community here in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. An online launch will be held this morning with over 230 participants already registered.
The Mental Health Support Fund will provide support across three categories ranging from £100,000 to £500,000. A second series of small grants of £5,000 to £30,000, medium grants of £30,000 to £100,000 will open in September. The grants will support community and voluntary sector organisations with charitable purposes offering services for people with mental ill-health throughout Northern Ireland over the next three years.
The £10m fund, which is now open for applications online, was announced by Health Minister, Robin Swann as part of a funding package to support carers, cancer and mental health organisations.
Welcoming the Mental Health Support Fund opening, the Health Minister, said:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought dramatic changes in our lives and it’s had a very significant impact on the emotional wellbeing and mental health of many people across Northern Ireland. Last week I published a 10 year Mental Health Strategy which provides the strategic direction for the reform of our mental health services as well as building a strong mental health response to the pandemic.
“The Strategy was co-produced by my Department, service users, carers, professional, community and voluntary sector groups and many others whose work is invaluable in efforts to improve mental health outcomes, particularly in these challenging times.
“The Mental Health Support Fund will equip and enable charitable organisations to provide a wide range of support services for people with mental ill health and will help to ensure that those who need to can continue to access mental health support services in the community.
“In April, I announced a £24m package of grant schemes for cancer and mental health charities and for organisations working to support carers. I am delighted that all three funds are now open and I look forward to seeing their positive impact in the community.”
A consultation on the Mental Health Support Fund has been undertaken by the Community Foundation. This has enabled organisations and individuals supporting mental health and wellbeing to contribute to the shaping of the funding criteria, and to ensure that those who are most in need are able to access support from the funds.
Commenting on the launch of the Fund, Orla Black, Director of Grants with the Community Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to be opening the Mental Health Support Fund today which will provide millions of pounds in support to community and voluntary sector organisations with charitable purposes offering services for people with mental ill-health. The fund will be available for three years which means that it can make an impact over a longer period of time, which we know will create a meaningful difference in the lives of many. Now open online we are aiming to provide the first round of grants within a two-month period, as we are really keen to get some of these monies issued and making a difference as soon as possible so they can make an impact for the people who need it most.”
Action Mental Health service user Mark Kincaid who has been supported by the charity, added:
“I am so pleased to hear this news for charities and organisations who work in the mental health space today, and I know from personal experience how important it is to have support when you need it. As someone who has suffered mental health issues from an early age, my life was drastically improved working with the ‘Good Ship Action Mental Health’, who have provided unending help when I needed them. These funds will absolutely help to address and make inwards into the needs of families and individuals currently living in need of support across therapies, peer support and projects to help when things get difficult”.
Speaking on the importance of the fund, Northern Ireland Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill said:
“The community and voluntary sector is vital to the early intervention, prevention and treatment of mental illness in Northern Ireland, and it’s integration with Statutory mental health services is an important element of the new mental health strategy. I am delighted to hear that the fund is now live. This £10million is a much-needed boost to help ensure groups and charities supporting mental health and treating mental illness can continue to do this important work over the next three years. The pandemic has had a devastating impact and as demand for services continues to increase, I welcome the launch of the Mental Health Support Fund today”.
The Mental Health Support Fund is now available for applications via the Community Foundation website. For details and criteria visit www.communityfoundation.org/grants/mental-health-fund
July 2021
1st July 2021
NATURO PETFOOD LAUNCHES HUMAN & PET ‘HOUND-SELLING’ SERVICE.
JOINT OWNER AND DOG RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING TO EASE POST-LOCKDOWN TRANSITION.
Local Armagh business Mackle Petfoods owners of Naturo Natural Pet food have launched the first ever joint human and dog counselling service this week, following research that indicates a third (33%) of pet parents are concerned about their dog suffering from post-lockdown anxiety.
The new service, designed by Naturo, will help ease the tricky transition back into post-lockdown life for pet parents concerned about their dogs adjusting to the ‘new normal’ in 2021.
Dubbed ‘hound-selling’, the unique classes will combine both canine and human therapy practices and specialist content to address pet parent problems from both sides, with a series of solutions-focused group sessions.
Naturo has launched the service after conducting research with pet parents across the country, understanding the challenges they think they’ll face coming out of lockdown. Three in ten (29%) share concerns about how their pooch will adjust to the ‘new normal’, with two in five (39%) worried about leaving their dog alone more often and a third (33%) concerned about their dog suffering from separation anxiety.
A large three in five (59%) admit they’ve found spending more time with their pet challenging due to them wanting more attention (38%) and daily interruptions such as barking on video calls (24%).
As a result of the findings, Naturo is working with renowned dog behaviourist, and television personality, Leon Towers, alongside psychotherapist Jax Beatty on a series of bespoke relationship counselling sessions. The sessions are designed for pet parents facing challenges post-lockdown and will help strengthen and harmonise this unique relationship.
Both Leon and Jax will offer tailored advice for each pet and pet parent with this solutions-driven counselling service to help them move forward in their journey out of lockdown and to develop their bond even further.
The three key topics that will be covered across the sessions, and which are applicable to both dog and their human will be: separation anxiety, new relationships, and renewed expectations of pet parenthood.
Leon Towers, dog behaviourist and television personality commented:
“This unique service from Naturo will be welcomed with open arms worldwide! Dog owners have spent over a year in lockdown and are at a loss what to do, how to cope, not knowing how to deal with issues such as separation anxiety and relationship breakdowns.
“Facing the new world as the ‘new normal’ is such a frightening and vulnerable situation for dogs and owners to be in. Naturo is a saviour to dog owners by providing this critical service to enable owners to make the transition back into everyday life and I look forward to supporting them with the launch of the hound-selling sessions.”
Lauren Toal, Brand Manager for Naturo commented: “At Naturo we know how important the relationship between pet and pet parent is. To many it is just as, or even more important than their relationship with family and friends.
“We hope that by launching the first ever joint human and pet counselling service, we can not only shine a light on the incredible bond between dogs and their pet parents, but also give pet parents the opportunity to work on their canine relationships, after what has been an incredibly tough year.”
The Relationship Hound-selling sessions are being offered by Naturo free of charge via a competition on their website and are available to all UK and Ireland dog owners.
Aside from the competition, to check out some expert tips and tricks to help manage the pet owner relationship even better, visit the Naturo blog for further information.