The government has announced a new three-year agreement with the Service Dogs Malta Foundation aimed at expanding the country's assistance dog service, committing more than €150,000 between 2027 and 2029, the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering said in a statement.

The agreement, unveiled by Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia in Brussels, will see the ministry invest more than €50,000 annually to support the training of three assistance dogs each year.

The initiative is intended to help more people with disabilities and other conditions live independently and participate more fully in society.

The announcement coincided with the arrival of Ink, a Labrador puppy that has begun its journey to become a fully trained assistance dog in Malta. The puppy's name was chosen as a reference to the word "inclusion", reflecting the ministry's focus on promoting greater accessibility and independence.

The funding fulfils an electoral pledge to provide annual financial support to the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, enabling it to train dogs specifically for people who require assistance in their daily lives, government said.

The agreement also builds on previous government support for the foundation, including the establishment of a dedicated space at the Jake Vella Volunteer Centre in Paola during the last legislature, allowing the organisation to expand its operations.

Before arriving in Malta, Ink underwent an initial socialisation programme with Scale Dogs in Belgium, where the puppy was introduced to different environments, people and animals. T

raining included walking on a lead in public spaces, visiting restaurants, shops and supermarkets, and becoming accustomed to different forms of transport, including preparation for air travel.

The puppy also received all required vaccinations and veterinary checks before travelling to Malta. The process was facilitated through the Service Dogs Malta Foundation's membership of Assistance Dogs International and the European Breeding Cooperative.

In Malta, Ink has been placed with the Coleiro family, who will serve as the puppy's raisers over the coming months. During this period, the dog will continue its socialisation before progressing to formal training with a professional trainer once it reaches the appropriate age. It will eventually be matched with a person who requires an assistance dog.

Assistance dogs provide practical support with mobility and orientation while helping users achieve greater independence, confidence and quality of life.

Farrugia said the agreement demonstrated the government's commitment to delivering electoral promises through measures that make a tangible difference.

"We are investing in a service that provides greater freedom and autonomy for individuals. Through this agreement, we are not only supporting the important work of the Service Dogs Malta Foundation but also creating more opportunities for people who need this type of assistance to live more independently and participate fully in the community," she said.

Service Dogs Malta Foundation representative Joseph Stafrace welcomed the funding, saying it would enable the organisation to train more assistance dogs and improve the quality of life of those who rely on them.

"This support will help the foundation continue to grow and strengthen its work, allowing us to train more dogs that provide greater independence and better quality of life for their users," he said.

Farrugia was accompanied in Brussels by the ministry's Permanent Secretary Stephanie Rocco and Malta's Ambassador to Belgium Vanni Xuereb.