Our Future at Castlewhite
For the last 17 years while operating our charity to the highest standards, we have been saving diligently in order to purchase a permanent home with sufficient land to develop and expand our services, thus increasing the number of dogs we train and gift each year to those who need them the most.
After years of saving and searching for the right property, in November 2023 we purchased “Castlewhite”, a 3500 sq. ft. period house in need of complete renovation on an 11.5 acre site, located off the N71 within 15 mins of Cork City centre.
The wishlist for our perfect home….
Location - close to cork city for training ✅
Accessible - easy to find and access ✅
Visibility - in a well populated area ✅
Acres - to build walk-ways for the children so they can learn to walk with their new dog in private and no longer fear falling in public! ✅
Peace - a feeling of tranquility ✅
Forever - a home we can grow into ✅
Our new home will serve as a safe, comfortable and inspiring training base for children and adults across Ireland to meet and train with their new assistance dogs before returning home together.
Most importantly, we can now grow and reduce our 3 year waiting list by breeding and training more dogs at our new headquarters.
The property requires COMPLETE RENOVATION
Our goal is to get our new home at Castlewhite operational as soon as possible, so that we can help those on our waiting list get the assistance dogs they've been waiting years for.
Phase 1: The main house will cost in the region of €500,000 to renovate and make fit for purpose so we can move staff and dogs in.
Phase 2: Outdoors, there are two adjacent properties on site which will be converted into houses for our dogs-in-training. The grounds will also host two accommodation cabins to enable children and adults to stay on-site while being trained with their Assistance dog.
It's estimated that the entire works will cost in the region of €2 million.
We are particularly excited about finally having the space to facilitate on-site therapies in the three ground floor rooms at Castlewhite.
We will have paediatric physiotherapists working alongside dogs trained to perform specific tasks to assist children during physiotherapy sessions.
The presence of a trained dog in these sessions not only brings a more relaxed, positive and motivational atmosphere, it helps develop trust between therapist and child.
A message from our Founder & CEO, Jennifer Dowler
“We need YOUR help! Work has begun to transform our property and turn our dream into a reality. Together, we can achieve amazing things. But we need you be a part of our journey. Help us to help them”
Can YOU donate your skills or services?
As we work through restoration plans and the planning process before our BIG build begins, we are gathering a database of skilled and dedicated tradespeople and experts to help us achieve our goals.
If you think you can be a part of our dream build, please complete the form and click SUBMIT
€0 What our Partners Pay for one of our Assistance Dogs
€15k What it costs to produce one Assistance Dog
€0 Government Funding Annually
€1million What we need per year to operate our Charity
35 How many dogs we placed in 2023
€0 What our Partners Pay for one of our Assistance Dogs €15k What it costs to produce one Assistance Dog €0 Government Funding Annually €1million What we need per year to operate our Charity 35 How many dogs we placed in 2023
