Our story

 Lil' Leo CIC began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many people were facing isolation and uncertainty, and far too many pets were being abandoned. It was during this period that the Lil' Leo children's book series was born, inspired by Leo, whose story celebrates kindness, empathy and the special bond between people and animals.

While the books were being published, Leo continued  supporting people through online therapy sessions as a therapy dog, bringing comfort, connection and moments of joy to people of all ages. Those experiences reinforced a simple but powerful belief: compassion has the ability to bring people together and improve wellbeing.

Over time, that belief grew into something bigger. Today, Lil' Leo CIC is a community organisation dedicated to promoting creativity, compassion and the human-animal bond, creating opportunities for people to connect, build confidence and support their wellbeing through meaningful experiences.

Because meaningful change often begins with a single act of kindness and one genuine connection.

Mental health challenges among young people are increasing, and there is no single solution that works for everyone. At Lil’ Leo CIC, we have seen the powerful impact of a tailored, multi-modal therapeutic approach that responds to the diverse needs of children, young people, and communities.

Our vision is to demonstrate and advocate for the value of this approach within the wider mental health community, contribute to raising standards in how it is delivered, and help build a network of practitioners and therapy animals grounded in compassion, respect, and best practice.