Animal MAGIC

Three women reveal how they are using their much-loved animals to help others

- KATE CHAPMAN

Joe Swiffen, 46, owns Mynydd Sleddog Adventures, in Conwy, Wales, where she lives with her husband Mark, 50, and their eight-year-old son.

I started my adventure tourism business, offering husky rides and sled-dog experiences, in 2020. I've always been fascinated by wolves, both their look and natural behaviour.

I got my first Siberian husky called Taskan in 2001; they're a working dog and walkies isn't enough. I worked with a youth offending team at the time and took Taskan with me in the evening. Looking for young, sometimes homeless, people to engage with on the streets was hard when I was on my own. 'The dog makes it easier. It's a good talking point,' I told my colleagues.

Now I own 20, including Siberian and Alaskan huskies, Scandinavian hounds and a German short-haired pointer. As well as offering immersive visitor experiences like dryland rig racing, I've developed therapeutic and educational programmes with the NHS and Gwynedd Youth Service.

It's all about encouraging people to get outdoors and improve their leadership and team-building skills, increasing their confidence and wellbeing through working with dogs. The first programme came about after an occupational therapist rode one of my rigs and realised how beneficial interacting with the dogs would be for her patients in a secure mental health unit. We explored dog behaviour, communication and emotion, how that linked to human behaviour, and focused on healthy lifestyles. Patients learnt how to put the harnesses on and took the huskies for a hike around their exercise area. This got them outside - something they'd previously been reluctant to do. It was fantastic to see them engaging.

I've also worked with youngsters, 16 and older, who weren't in education, employment or training, and who have social anxiety and ASD. That programme aimed to get them outside too, building confidence and resilience.