Ajax’s Journey - our sponsored Dogs for Good puppy

BY CHRISTINE YARNALL  

Following on from the successful training and placement of Monty, we decided to sponsor another puppy as part of the Dogs for Good puppy partner community scheme.

Dogs for Good is an amazing charity that brings people and dogs together. Helping a child with autism, an adult with disabilities or those with special educational needs, are just some of many areas where Dogs for Good can provide life-changing support. 

In September 2021, Ajax, our new sponsored puppy was born. This page is dedicated to his adventures as he progresses through his training and goes on to make a life-changing difference to someone in need.

Autumn adventures

NOVEMBER 2022


Ajax has been enjoying the autumn and has gone on lots of runs with newly made friends in the park. He loves meeting other dogs and is always keen to seek out new, four-legged companions.


Ajax has been growing increasingly inquisitive and was recently so intrigued by a mobile Covid-19 vaccination tent, that he couldn’t resist popping in to see what was going on! Surprised patients welcomed the furry gate crasher and a nurse even asked him if he wanted to join the queue for a jab! He wasn’t keen - but he did enjoy all the attention from the patients!


Ajax is now busy preparing for his next trip – he is heading to Norfolk and it will be the first time he sees the sea. With a strong love of water, this could be an interesting experience!

Nov Ajax Park Nov Ajax 2 Nov Ajax Water

Ajax comes to RSSL!

JUNE 2022

Everyone at RSSL was thrilled to meet Ajax during our networking day in June. A true guest of honour, Ajax quickly made friends and was happy to pose for photos despite the hot and sticky weather.

We are grateful to Ajax’s puppy socialisers, John and Ann, for making the trip and we enjoyed hearing about how he is getting on. It seems he has become a bit of a foodie, willing to go the extra mile for a treat! He also remains keen on making lots of friends - whether he meets them during walks, in the supermarket or at the doctors’ surgery! More often than not, people are happy to give him some attention, which really makes his day!


After visiting us in Reading, Ajax spent his summer meeting his coordinator, training and enjoying runs in a local park with his litter brother and sister.

We are looking forward to watching Ajax grow and learn, eventually becoming a wonderful companion and helping to transform someone’s life for the better.

Ajax Bow Resized Group Ajax Bow 2

Ajax puts his training into practice

MARCH 2022

Young Ajax has been working hard on his training with puppy socialisers John and Ann, mastering basic commands and discipline. From the age of six months, this training shifted and the skills that he’d learnt at home and during his online puppy classes were transferred to real-life situations.

This is a vital step in his training to ensure that he is able to cope with everyday challenges, whether it be returning when he is called or being able to settle in busy places such as cafes and restaurants. 


Ajax’s character has really started to shine through, with a cheeky, mischievous streak starting to surface! For example, during a recent train journey, Ajax noticed that a sleeping passenger sitting opposite had removed their shoes and socks. In a flash, Ajax started cleaning this person’s feet – surely a unique way to be woken up! Luckily, the passenger saw the funny side and was quick to make friends with our lovable pooch.


We look forward to hearing more about how Ajax is getting on now that his training is being put into practice in the big, wide world. 

Ajax On Lead Sleepy Ajax Ajax Lead 2

We welcome Ajax

SEPTEMBER 2021


In September 2021 we received the news that a litter of a golden retriever puppies had been born, one of which would become our new sponsored dog. Promptly, we set about securing name suggestions for the adorable pup from across RSSL, with the only requirement from Dogs for Good being that the name began with the letter ‘a’ – the same as all the other puppies in the litter. To make things a little trickier, we didn’t know whether we’d be matched with a male or female puppy, so we welcomed male, female and gender-neutral name suggestions from our colleagues.

The following month, we discovered that our assigned pup was male, and, after much deliberation, he was named Ajax. Shortly after being given his new name, Ajax headed off to his new temporary home with puppy socialisers John and Ann to begin his training. John and Ann have worked with Dogs for Good for several years and also trained Monty, our previous sponsored puppy, during his first year.

‘We are delighted to continue our involvement with this amazing charity. Having been through this experience a few years ago, we know that it’s hugely rewarding for everyone concerned. Most importantly, we recognise how much comfort these therapy and assistance dogs brings to those facing difficult challenges in life. We’re looking forward to following our puppy’s adventures and watching them grow into a fully trained adult dog capable of bringing joy, support and companionship - values that we actively encourage at RSSL.’

Jacinta George, Managing Director, RSSL.

On Newspaper Group Photo (1) TWO Puppies On A Towel (1)

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