New agreement to strengthen the assistance dog service in Malta
Malta welcomes another dog who will continue his journey to become an assistance dog
The Government will be strengthening the assistance dog service in Malta through a new agreement with the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, with an investment of more than €150,000 over a three-year period. Through this agreement, the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering will invest more than €50,000 per year between 2027 and 2029, among others in the training of three service dogs each year.
The agreement was announced by Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia in Brussels, as Ink, a Labrador puppy who will be trained to become a service dog, began his journey to Malta to continue his socialisation and training process. The name Ink was chosen as an abbreviation of the word “inclusion”, in direct connection with the work of the Ministry.
The agreement will fulfil an electoral promise, through which the Government committed to continue working with the Service Dogs Malta Foundation and begin allocating funds each year for the training of specially trained dogs to assist persons with disabilities or different conditions, with the aim of enabling them to live more independent lives and participate more actively in society.
The agreement builds on the work carried out in the last legislature, when the Government created a dedicated space at the Jake Vella Volunteer Centre in Paola, from where the Service Dogs Malta Foundation was able to continue to develop and offer its services.
Ink received his first socialization training at Scale Dogs in Belgium. During this phase he began learning to walk on a leash on the street and was exposed to different environments, people and animals, including restaurants, shops and supermarkets. Before his trip to Malta, Ink was also trained to use different means of transport in order to be prepared for air travel.
The dog was given the necessary vaccinations and underwent all medical examinations prior to its arrival in Malta. This process was made possible through the Service Dogs Malta Foundation’s membership in Assistance Dogs International and the European Breeding Cooperative.
Upon his arrival in Malta, Ink will join a family that will raise him and who, with the support of the Foundation, will continue his socialization process. Later, when he has reached the required age, he will begin formal training with a professional trainer to prepare him to eventually join a person who will need his assistance in daily life.
Service dogs can provide important practical support, assist with mobility and orientation, and enhance the independence, confidence and quality of life of the people who use them.
Minister Julia Farrugia stressed that this agreement is another example of how the Government is delivering on its promises through concrete measures that make a difference in people’s lives. “We are investing in a service that gives more freedom and autonomy to the individual. Through this agreement, we are not only supporting the important work of the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, but we are creating more opportunities so that people who require this type of assistance can live with more independence and participate fully in the community,” said the Minister.
Joseph Stafrace from Service Dogs Malta Foundation stated that, “Today we met with Ink for the first time, and this is a confirmation of the electoral promise that in the first hundred days financial assistance will be provided to the Service Dogs Malta Foundation. This assistance will continue to help the foundation so that, ultimately, we can continue to train more dogs that can help and give a better quality of life to people who use service dogs. This means that the person will have more independence and more opportunities to spend quality time with their friends and family, while enjoying a better quality of life. We thank you for the assistance that will be provided, which will allow the Service Dogs Malta Foundation to continue to grow, strengthen and be more successful in its important work.”
Upon Ink’s arrival in Malta, at Malta International Airport, he was joined by the Coleiro family, who will be his puppy raisers for the coming months. During this period, Ink will live with the family and be given the necessary training and experience to develop his skills. At the end of this period, the ideal person will be identified with whom Ink can continue to live forever and provide assistance and independence to the person in need.
In Brussels, Minister Julia Farrugia was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Stephanie Rocco, as well as by the Ambassador of Malta to Belgium Dr Vanni Xuereb.
Photo: MIV
