AN INNOVATIVE facility offering dogs and their owners the chance to explore parkour equipment and a sensory garden has opened in the North-East.

Dogwood Adventure Play is a secure field in Stockton designed to help nervous dogs and energetic dogs by giving them a mentally tiring activity to leave pets feeling calmer.

Katie Guastapaglia, founder of Dogwood Adventure Play, said: “We created Dogwood for our own dog originally. He was nervous and needed somewhere safe to run free, but there was nowhere locally.

“He loved it so much we knew we needed to share it with others.

“Parkour defies the boundaries of age, breed and ability. It’s low-impact and once you and your dog are confident, you can enjoy it on every day walks.”

The facility has grown to offer field trips where dogs are collected from their homes and allowed to run free in the field.

Mr Guastapaglia, who is a canine first aider and trained in teaching parkour and scent work, added it is a “really lovely sight” to see pets bonding with their owners on site.