A GARDEN designed to help rescued dogs relax is almost complete.

The team at Dogs Trust Shoreham, based in Brighton Road, are hoping that their new Wellness Garden will help the dogs at the centre enjoy the summer.

The garden is yet to be finished completely but is already growing tomatoes, sweetcorn, pumpkins and courgettes. All of these have been donated by staff and volunteers.

The team is also in the process of creating a herb garden to provide the dogs with plenty of sensory stimulation. The smells that come off the herbs and vegetables helps dogs engage more as they use scent to transmit information.

Maintenance operator Ryan Hawkins is leading the project. He said: "We have 40 acres of green land on site, which is incredible, but we wanted to create a dedicated space where staff and our dogs can take a breather and just enjoy some relaxation in a quiet space.

"It is definitely still a work in progress, but as well as the vegetables, we currently have lavender and parsley, which the dogs love to sniff.

"In the coming weeks, we will plant more herbs, as well as see the fruits of our labour in terms of the vegetables we are growing."

Along with volunteer gardener and grounds assistant Phil Green, Ryan is also creating more shelters to provide shade for dogs in the summer or protection from winter weather.

Adel Burnett, manager of Dogs Trust Shoreham, said: "The last year has proven to us all how important our mental health and wellbeing are, so we decided that we'd all work together to create more spaces where staff and our dogs can chill out and take a few moments together.

"Thanks to the players of People's Postcode Lottery whose support helps to fund our Maintenance Operative post, and thanks to our volunteer Phil, we've made great progress and will have time to enjoy the benefits in the weeks and months to come."

For more information about Dogs Trust Shoreham, look here: www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming.