Press Release 7/5/2025
A powerful new video highlighting the success of local Community Interest Company Paws for Progress and its dog-assisted learning programmes at HMP & YOI Polmont has aired on “The One Show”, celebrating the life-changing impact for both young people in custody and rescue dogs in need of a second chance.
The video shines a spotlight on Paws for Progress’ rescue dog training programme, which offers young men under 25 the opportunity to learn valuable skills while preparing dogs from Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home for their forever homes.
This pioneering initiative, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, and Fife College, has been transforming lives for over a decade—helping both people and animals to grow in confidence and thrive.
Presenter Jennifer Reoch visits HMP & YOI Polmont to chat with the young people involved, meet the Paws for Progress “Ambassadogs” Benji and Maddie, and speak with staff members from Paws for Progress and the Scottish Prison Service.
The young people were actively involved in the preparation and planning for the filming, ensuring they had choice and autonomy over their involvement. This approach helped make the experience enjoyable and engaging for both them and the dogs.
For the young people involved, the experience is far more than learning about dog training. The programme provides a unique and engaging learning environment, helping participants build essential skills such as teamwork, communication, patience, and empathy.
Many achieve Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) qualifications through Fife College, plus ASDAN Certificates and Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) Certificates through Paws for Progress, gaining a steppingstone towards future education and employment opportunities.
The benefits for the rescue dogs are just as profound. By receiving expert training and socialisation from the participants, they increase their chances of being successfully rehomed. Many of these dogs have come from challenging backgrounds, and the structured, positive training helps them to rebuild trust and confidence.
The young people involved reflected on their experience of taking part in the filming:
“It felt good to be included in the filming and it will be good to show more people what we do at Paws.”
“It was good to do something new and out of my comfort zone.”
They also spoke about the impact of being part of the programme itself:
“I feel like I have gained new skills. I enjoy spending time with the dogs.”
“I enjoyed working with all the rescues, seeing them learn new things to help them get a new home. I learned that I enjoy dog training and would like to train them as a job.”
Dr Rebecca Leonardi, Founder and Development Manager at Paws for Progress CIC, said:
“At the heart of this collaboration are the young people and dogs, coming together to build new skills and support others.
The ripple effects of their learning and development are far-reaching, touching not only their own lives but also those of the people and dogs they encounter along the way.
This partnership offers a powerful, creative, and impactful approach to helping young people and dogs develop the skills and resilience they need to move forward towards a positive future.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said:
“This is an excellent partnership which not only brings real benefits to young men in our care, but also the dogs they have worked alongside.
“Working with these rescue dogs supports the men’s mental health and wellbeing, teaches them new skills, and aids their wider rehabilitation.
“We are grateful to Paws for Progress, the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home, and Fife College, for their hard work in delivering this initiative at HMP & YOI Polmont.”
Nonnie Kent, Head of Animal Welfare and Operations at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said:
“We are very proud to be a part of such an innovative programme. It is heartwarming to see how working with our dogs can have a positive impact for the young people involved, and it is a fantastic experience for our dogs who benefit from the positive interactions and extra training which can help them find their forever homes.”
The success of this initiative is a testament to the strength of collaboration between Paws for Progress, the Scottish Prison Service, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, and Fife College. Together, they are creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and contribute positively to their communities—while also transforming the lives of dogs in need.
Tune in to The One Show to watch the inspiring story unfold.
Notes for Editors
What Are Ambassadogs?
Ambassadogs are staff and volunteer dogs who are in forever homes and enjoy taking part in Paws for Progress programmes. They attend sessions with staff members, benefiting from enrichment, training, and plenty of fun, while helping participants to learn, grow, and develop positive connections.
The Ambassadogs featured in the video are Maddie the Springer Spaniel, and Benji the collie, who are both valued and much loved members of our team.
Paws for Progress is a Community Interest Company specialising in providing dog-assisted learning programmes that benefit both the people and the dogs involved. Working in prisons, schools, and the community across Central Scotland and beyond, we are here to help young people and dogs to thrive! Taking a user-led approach, our learners are at the heart of everything that we do.
Paws for Progress also provide dog-assisted learning programmes in the community, more information on how to access these is available via our website.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. We are responsible for the secure custody of around 8,300 people across Scotland.
Polmont is a national facility that houses a diverse population. It is the only prison in Scotland to house young males aged between 18 – 21 years of age, adult females, and adult males.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home was founded in 1883 and supports pets and their owners by helping keep pets in loving homes, running a loving home and finding loving homes.
It has an open-door policy, accepting any dog or cat it can that reaches the door in need, whatever shape, breed or size. At times this may be limited by capacity or health and safety concerns.
Where possible, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home aims to help pet owners keep their pets in loving homes through community support services such as pet food banks, educational content and training, and other outreach services.
It costs around £3 million a year to run Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and the charity receives no government funding, relying almost entirely on the generosity of donations from the public.
For further information on Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, please visit www.edch.org.uk. Follow Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram at @EdinDogCatHome.
Fife College deliver contextualised core skill qualifications whereby delivery of SQA units focusses on the work already being done with the dogs. Education delivery is non-intrusive to the dog training sessions making it less formal than the traditional classroom setting. All learners who participate in the course achieve various SQA qualifications.
Media Enquiries
Scottish Prison Service
Rachel Clarke, Communications Officer
Paws for Progress
Suzanne Ruby, Operations Manager
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Media Enquiries
