At The Pet Carpenter, our passion has always been about more than just beautiful pet furniture. It’s about building homes where pets and people live together in harmony. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our new affiliation with Kids Around Dogs (KAD). An award-winning association dedicated to supporting families and schools in helping children and dogs coexist safely and happily.
What is Kids Around Dogs (KAD)?
Founded by Debby Lucken (ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac.), Kids Around Dogs® brings together experienced dog professionals and child care experts with one unified mission: to create a better world for children and dogs living together. Their work extends across families, schools, and communities, offering education and training. They even have specially designed protocol to help overcome fear of dogs for both children and adults.
You can find KAD-approved trainers across the country, making their incredible services accessible to families everywhere. Learn more about their professionals here.
Why This Partnership Matters to Us
From our own lives as pet owners and family members, we know firsthand how important it is for children and dogs to understand one another. Our family includes multiple dogs, Theodore, Finn, Loki, and Lana; each with their own personality and reactions to children. Some, like Lana, are naturally gentle; others, like Finn, are more cautious and need their space respected.
Over the years, it has been essential for us to actively educate our children on how to interact respectfully and kindly with our dogs. Curiosity is a beautiful part of childhood, but without guidance, it can lead to unsafe interactions for both child and dog. That’s why KAD’s mission resonates with us. Their educational approach empowers families to foster trust, understanding, and joy between children and their canine companions.
The Role of Safe Spaces and Education
One of the key elements we advocate for at The Pet Carpenter is the concept of “gift crate confidence”, helping every dog owner see the value in providing their dog with a personal, comforting space within the home. A safe crate space is a wonderful tool, especially in busy family environments. It gives dogs a retreat when they need downtime and helps children learn about boundaries and respect.
However, a crate alone is not a complete solution. Education must walk hand-in-hand with providing safe spaces. Children need to understand when a dog is resting, when they may not want to play, and how to recognise and respond to a dog’s emotional cues. KAD’s teachings emphasise these lessons beautifully. Ensuring that a crate becomes a positive tool within a wider context of empathy and learning.
Our Shared Vision for Families and Dogs
By becoming affiliates of Kids Around Dogs, we are proud to expand the support we offer to our community. Through our furniture, we help create physical spaces for pets to feel secure. Through KAD, families can deepen their understanding, ensuring those spaces, and the bonds between child and pet, are nurtured with care and respect.
We believe that with the right environment, education, and compassion, dogs and children can form some of the strongest bonds imaginable. We are excited to help our community access the brilliant resources that KAD provides and to continue inspiring pet owners to thoughtfully design homes that truly consider the needs of every family member, whether they walk on two legs or four.
To learn more about Kids Around Dogs and their life-changing work, visit kidsarounddogs.co.uk.
Together, let’s help children and dogs grow up safe, happy, and supported, building homes filled with love, learning, and loyal companionship.