A doggy daycare – operating out of Hamilton Park in Bryanston – is providing a professional daycare service for dogs, with a difference.
Sandton Doggy Daycare opened its doors in January and is a professional service for dog owners who need someone to take care of their dogs. The initiative was started by Tamara Forbes who has a disabled young adult stepson. “We realised there are not a lot of employment opportunities in South Africa for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities,” said Forbes.
“My stepson, Julian Coumbis, has always had a special love for dogs and volunteered at another doggy daycare for a year and his dedication and hard work were the motivation I needed to start the service,” explained Forbes.
She said they’re not a charity and offer the community a professional service and also provide full-time employment for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities and offer market-related remuneration. “We want to break the stigma surrounding people with disabilities,” said Forbes.
“We employ three young adults with mild disabilities and have the capacity for more, as we grow,” said Forbes. She continued that they were given permission to operate on a portion of Hamilton Park.
The young adults are recruited through The Living Link, which is a non-profit organisation that caters for the intellectually disabled community. It aims to encourage, enhance and support the development of intellectually disabled adults, helping them attain a high quality of life.
The daycare currently takes care of about 20 dogs, with a capacity for 45 dogs. “We are also opening a dog lodge in Kyalami and will employ young adults with mild intellectual disabilities to run the operation under the supervision of a qualified dog trainer,” said Forbes.
For more details contact: Sandton Doggy Daycare and Dog Lodge at 072 108 6701; www.sandtondd.co.za; tamara@sandtondd.co.za or The Living Link at 011 788 8249; www.thelivinglink.co.za; marna@thelivinglink.co.za
