Pets as Therapy (PATS)

YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR DOG (AND YOU ) #BACKGROUND PATS (Pets as Therapy) is a national charity which provides therapeutic visits to Nursing and Care Homes, Schools, Stroke Victims and other organisations by registered volunteers and their temperament tested and vaccinated dogs.

Today there are over 4500 active PAT dogs visiting 130,000 people each week giving them  the benefits that have been shown which come from interaction with companion animals. This is 6.75million bedside visits per annum.

#HOW DOES IT WORK
Your dog is tested locally for its temperament and its health.

Two character references are required ( for you not the dog !!! )

You will then be put in touch with an establishment that has requested a volunteer by your area coordinator (that’s me ).

There are currently over 150 establishments in Cheshire waiting a volunteer, 13 in the Crewe and Nantwich area alone.

#DOES MY DOG NEED TO BE A PEDIGREE OR HAVE SPECIAL TRAINING.
No to both, it is all about temperament and manners.

The picture shows Sally a standard poodle cross and Flo a flat coated retriever.

Sally, a rescue is a bit of a star having won the North West RSPCA dog of the year and runner up in the National Final , the winner was a pedigree which was not allowed in the rules, it all kicked off in the canine world when this was established.

Flo looks upon Sally in awe as she has only just started her career as a read2dogs PAT dog.

#AUDLEM CONNECTION
Sally visits Corbrook Court in Audlem where her weekly visits bring real pleasure to the residents.

#NEXT STEP
If you wish to volunteer you can register on line at www.petsastherapy.org where you can find much more information about the charity and its activities. Alternatively you can call the registration office on 01844 345445 or contact me Peter Murray on 01948 871665 or mainwaringco@btinternet.com

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