See the latest
The Pars Foundation’s Walk & Talk group has become a regular fixture in the local calendar, offering dog owners and their families the chance to come together for fresh air, conversation and companionship. Meeting throughout the week, the group is about more than exercise – it’s about connection. For many, it has been a lifeline, helping to rebuild confidence, tackle isolation, and strengthen the bond between people and their pets.
For Ian, 68, the group arrived at a crucial moment. In late 2021 he was recovering from pneumonia and a blood clot in his lung, which left him breathless and struggling with the mental strain of illness in the aftermath of lockdown. Always someone who liked to keep active, Ian was searching for a way to regain both his fitness and his confidence. When he spotted Walk & Talk on social media, he recognised familiar faces in the photos and decided to give it a try. From that first meeting he has hardly missed a walk.
Being part of the group has had a profound effect. It has given Ian the chance to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, something he never expected as he admits he is not a natural socialiser. The added coffee and tea stops, the occasional group meals and even the Christmas party have all become highlights. “It’s greatly improved my personal wellbeing,” he explained. “It’s also given me and my wife more time together – we attend the walks as a couple but can each mix with others. It has even brought us closer to her younger brother, who, after losing his wife, now joins us regularly.” Ian says being part of the group has greatly improved their mental wellbeing too, providing structure, connection and support at a time when it was most needed.
Ian’s dog Ziggy, a Segugio Italiano rescued from Cyprus, has been on his own journey. When adopted at just over two years old, he was nervous and wary of strangers, bolting at sudden movements and unable to be trusted off lead. Coming consistently to the Walk & Talk group has helped him turn a corner. “His confidence has grown hugely,” Ian said. “He’s now comfortable off the lead in safe places, his recall is excellent and his gentle nature shines through.”
Ziggy has now built strong bonds not only with other dogs but also with the people in the group, and his calm, affectionate character has made him a favourite among walkers. One member who had previously been fearful of dogs now happily takes Ziggy’s and another dog, Joni’s leads – something Ian says is a reminder that the group is as much about their wellbeing as it is about the dogs happy nature. Today, Ziggy talks for himself with his enthusiasm impossible to miss as he enjoys seeing everyone on arrival and is far from where he was a few years ago. “I would say to anyone with a dog to give the W&T a try. The difference the dogs make in the group is positive and their presence is a joy to behold” - Ian.
Nicky and Brian have had a similar experience with their Romanian rescues, Rosie and Nuala. The couple first came through the FFIT (football fans in training) programme before joining the walking group and soon discovered the benefits of being part of it, first Brian then followed by Nicky thereafter. “We feel part of the club and the local community,” Nicky said. “Meeting up with people who are all keen to support each other and it helps our motivation to try our best”.
Rosie and Nuala have also made remarkable progress since joining the group. Rosie, now five, was once timid and anxious around people and other dogs, but she has grown in confidence with socialisation to the point that she often leads the pack on walks. She loves to now lead the pack and help ziggy hunt, he follows her closely. Nuala, who is five in December 2025 had previously been overexcitable and prone to jumping on people, has learned to manage her energy and has now become comfortable and happy to let other members take her lead. Both dogs thrive of the walks, enjoying the freedom to explore while also benefiting from the socialisation. “Of course they get loads of treats, even those who don’t have dogs now bring them on walks” “Watching them tear through the cornfield, with just their ears bouncing above the crops, was unforgettable,” Brian recalled. “They were having the time of their lives.”
The human side is just as important. They couple look forward to the discussions and conversations Nicky explained, “You never walk with the same person twice and it’s helped reduce those moments that can often put you in a dark place. We’d love more people to come along. It’s a great way to help build your confidence and the dogs can sense this, which helps with theirs too”.
The Walk & Talk group shows how something as simple as a stroll with a dog within the group can have a lasting impact. By bringing people together, it has become a source of comfort, companionship and joy, strengthening community ties and giving both humans and animals a reason to look forward to the week ahead.
The dogs of the Friday Walk and Talk:
