A SCHEME offering unemployed and vulnerable people the chance to learn new skills and make four-legged friends has got off to a paws-itive start.

Supporting People and Pets Through Opportunities and Training (SPPOT) is a social enterprise that aims to offer accredited training and volunteering opportunities for those who are furthest from the job market, with a view to helping them get into work.

The brainchild of qualified dog trainer and former social care manager Kerri Bee, the courses are designed to help teach people skills such as puppy and dog training, and dog walking, using local ‘volunteer’ dogs, who have all been trained by Kerri to make sure they have the right temperament.

Attending the launch in Haverfordwest on Monday (November 18) were representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council’s animal welfare team, social services, the Dog’s Trust, Elliot’s Hill care home, PAVS, Agored, Coastal, Pembrokeshire College, and other voluntary groups who have either supported the SPPOT team or will be working alongside them in future.

Also involved in the project is Pembrokeshire Care Society (PCS), which helps support people into housing, volunteering and training.

PCS client participation co-ordinator Beth Howell said she believes the courses will be great for people who traditional courses don’t appeal to.

“A lot of service users are those who are looking for work, so this will really boost their self-esteem and help them sell themselves to future employers,” she added.