Project will close if no cash can be found

Fears are mounting that a crucial service which uses dogs to help dementia patients could close.

Dementia Dogs help people take their medication and assist with routine tasks they might otherwise forget to do.

The project's canine carers help patients remember to take medication and assist with daily living.

However it is now facing a cash crisis and has warned it could close in weeks.

Product design students from Glasgow School of Art originally launched the project in 2012 with it now providing 12 dogs across Scotland.

Funding came from the Design Council of London before the initiative secured three years of support from the National Lottery.

If no new financial support is found couples the project will be wound down.

A stament from the charity said: "The current funding for the Dementia Dog project runs out on 31 August 2019, which means although current families with a dementia dog remain unaffected, no further families could benefit from this life-changing opportunity."

Instructor Kerry Gough said: "The dogs give the couples the motivation to get out and keep up that physical activity which can sometimes be challenging.

"When they're out and about it can also help them connect with their local community so people will stop them, ask about their dog, what the dog does and the dog acts as an ice breaker.

"But I think also the other area is the companionship and emotional support."