A Consett-based Community Interest Company using animal-assisted support to help children, young people and adults has won two titles at the SME Business Elite Awards 2026.
Shadows Of Light CIC was named Best Animal Assisted Therapy Business 2026 and Wellbeing Provider 2026, adding to a year which has also seen the organisation recognised in Parliament.
The CIC works across education, care and community settings, using the relationship between people and animals to help build confidence, encourage communication and improve social connection.
At the centre of the project is therapy dog Shadow, although founder Natasha “Sash” Alderson Pollock says the animal is only the starting point.
“Shadow is the catalyst, but the person is always the focus,” she said.
One example came during a visit to a care setting, where a non-verbal woman who loved dogs became visibly excited when she met Shadow.
Through the interaction, staff learned more about her past, including that she had previously owned a dog and had once won a cup with it.
For the team, moments like this demonstrate how animal-assisted interaction can help prompt memories, communication and connection.
Shadows Of Light also works with young people who may be struggling with education, confidence or engagement.
Rather than focusing solely on why a person is finding it difficult to participate, the organisation looks at their interests and strengths and considers what might encourage them to become involved.
The CIC’s work has also attracted attention beyond County Durham.
Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist has recognised the organisation’s work in Parliament, while the team has also been invited to visit Westminster in the coming months.
Natasha said: “Having Shadows Of Light mentioned in Parliament by Liz Twist was an incredibly proud moment.
“When you start something because you genuinely want to make a difference, you don’t necessarily imagine that one day your work will be recognised in Parliament.”
The organisation is now exploring further partnerships across education, social care, health and wellbeing, including ways animal-assisted support could help people affected by cancer alongside existing professional and medical services.
Natasha stressed that the work is intended to complement, rather than replace, appropriate healthcare.
“Someone living with cancer is still a person first,” she said. “They are still a parent, partner, friend, animal lover, storyteller and individual.
“We want to create moments where they can simply be themselves rather than constantly feeling defined by their illness.”
The two SME Business Elite Awards come as Shadows Of Light looks to expand its work while remaining rooted in the Consett community.
“We are incredibly proud of both awards,” Natasha added.
“But what matters most is what they allow us to do next. Recognition gives us a platform. We want to use that platform to reach more people, develop new partnerships and demonstrate what animal-assisted support can achieve.”
For Shadows Of Light, the recognition marks another milestone in a year which has taken its work from Consett to national attention.
