The Service Dogs Malta Foundation has just received EU funding to strengthen its training programmes — a major step that will help more people with disabilities gain independence and confidence through the support of trained service dogs.Founded in 2013 by Joseph Stafrace, the foundation’s mission is simple yet powerful: to provide professionally trained service dogs to people with disabilities, helping them live with greater autonomy and dignity.Thanks to support from Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta, the foundation successfully applied for funding under the Erasmus+ programme, securing two mobility projects in Hungary. Through these projects, trainers and volunteers took part in hands-on sessions in schools and hospitals, learning innovative training methods while strengthening international collaboration.This experience will allow Service Dogs Malta to introduce new, more advanced techniques for training puppies, trainers, and volunteers — while also building stronger partnerships with social and health institutions in Malta.Ultimately, this means more people with conditions such as autism, hearing or mobility impairments, or diabetes will have access to the professional and specialised support they need.Founder Joseph Stafrace expressed his gratitude for Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta’s assistance throughout the process, noting how valuable this opportunity will be for the foundation and for Malta as a whole.It’s another great example of how EU funds are empowering local organisations to create lasting, positive change in people’s lives.•