Some of Africa's hardest-working rescue conservation dogs are receiving specialist emotional wellbeing support thanks to a new partnership between Dogs4Wildlife and Pet Remedy.

Dogs4Wildlife, founded by Jacqui Law, originally from Markyate, Hertfordshire, and Darren Priddle from Taunton Somerset, trains and deploys specialist tracking and detection dogs that play a crucial role in anti-poaching operations. Their canine teams have helped locate more than 3,500 active snares, taken part in more than 500 operational responses, and patrol thousands of kilometres of protected landscapes while supporting wildlife rangers on the front line of conservation. The charity also invests heavily in ranger training, community education and animal welfare projects across Africa. This is where the partnership with Pet Remedy is paramount.

As part of the partnership, Pet Remedy products have been distributed beyond Dogs4Wildlife to two of its key conservation partners in Zimbabwe, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting the highest standards of animal welfare.

One of these organisations is the Friend Animal Foundation, which provides lifelong care for more than 460 rescued dogs and approximately 190 cats. The foundation is also working in partnership with Dogs4Wildlife to develop the Working Operational Rescue Dogs (WORD) Programme, an innovative initiative that identifies suitable rescue dogs and develops them into specialist conservation dogs capable of supporting wildlife protection operations.

The WORD Programme demonstrates that, with careful behavioural assessment, appropriate health screening, structured training and long-term welfare support, selected rescue dogs can be given a renewed purpose while helping to protect endangered wildlife. There are currently seven rescue dogs progressing through the programme, each being developed for future operational deployment alongside wildlife ranger teams.

Pet Remedy products have also been supplied to the Tikki Hywood Foundation, where they will be evaluated as part of ongoing wildlife rehabilitation work. One particular area of interest is whether the atomiser may assist in reducing stress-related behaviours in certain species, including situations where maternal stress can contribute to abandonment of offspring. Any observations will help inform future understanding of emotional wellbeing within wildlife rehabilitation settings.

Pet Remedy's generous donation will help support the welfare of these rescue dogs throughout their rehabilitation and training, while also benefiting the wider rescue population cared for by the Friend Animal Foundation.

Pet Remedy, based in Torquay, Devon, has donated its natural calming sprays and wipes, which work by helping pets and other animals remain calm without causing sedation. The products are designed to support emotional wellbeing during potentially stressful situations such as travel, veterinary treatment, operational deployments, changes in routine and unfamiliar environments.

Jacqui Law said: "Our dogs are every bit as important as the wildlife they help to protect. They work in demanding environments alongside dedicated wildlife rangers, often covering huge distances and responding to high-pressure situations.

"Looking after both their physical and emotional wellbeing is absolutely essential if they are to perform at their best while enjoying happy, fulfilling lives. We are delighted to be partnering with Pet Remedy, whose generous support will help ensure our incredible dogs receive the highest standards of care throughout their lives, and also improve the lives of so many other species in need of critical support in a rehabilitation environment.

Andrew Hale, emotional wellbeing expert at Pet Remedy, said: "Working dogs experience many of the same emotional challenges as companion animals, from travel and unfamiliar surroundings to changes in routine and heightened levels of activity.

"Supporting emotional wellbeing is not simply about reducing stress, it is about enabling animals to feel safe enough to cope, adapt and perform naturally. We are proud to support Dogs4Wildlife and the extraordinary conservation dogs whose work is helping to protect some of the world's most endangered wildlife."

Qualified veterinary nurse Rachel Bean, from Grotton, Greater Manchester, recently travelled to Africa to deliver specialist canine first aid training to the charity's dog handlers.

She said: "It was an incredible privilege to work alongside the Dogs4Wildlife teams and share practical canine first aid skills with the handlers caring for these amazing dogs.

"They rely on their canine partners every day in challenging environments, so ensuring handlers have the confidence to recognise injuries, respond quickly in an emergency and provide the very best care is vital.

"It's fantastic to see organisations like Pet Remedy recognising that emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health. Together, these dogs are being given every opportunity to thrive while carrying out such valuable conservation work."

Dogs4Wildlife currently supports conservation projects across several African countries, combining highly trained conservation dogs with advanced ranger training, specialist equipment and community initiatives designed to protect endangered wildlife while improving opportunities for local people. In some operational areas, the charity says its canine units have helped achieve reductions in poaching of up to 75 per cent.