Pets as therapy - the joy of volunteering with your dog

We have the pleasure of hearing about so many amazing members and their equally fabulous pets. Sometimes, we just can’t help but shout about them! Earlier this year, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting our 2024 Happiest Pet on Earth competition and Fred, a Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog and TrustedHousesitters member, was one of our runners-up. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering with your dog or cat, this is the story for you!

Volunteer with your dog or cat at PAT

PAT is a registered UK charity that trains animal and human volunteers to offer companionship to those who struggle to access it. This can come in the form of a regular chat, or the chance to have a stroke and cuddle with a friendly dog or cat. They bring smiles and joy to people in nursing homes, hospices, schools, and prisons by mending hearts, lifting spirits, and bringing hope to people facing tough challenges. 

Basically, they’re paw-some - and Fred is one of their top volunteers! As a PAT Dog, Fred regularly visits London’s St Mary’s Hospital, part of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. His pet parent, Vicky (who joined the PAT volunteer team over nine years ago), escorts Fred to visit patients and brighten up their day. Not only does he leave a path of smiles as he walks past, but he also LOVES his job.

Fred and Vicky are one of over 4,000 volunteer pet parents and therapy pets who make up PAT, but they always need more amazing people and pets to join. All the dogs (and cats) are family pets with no formal training, so if you’ve been looking to start volunteering with your dog, PAT could be for you.

How to volunteer with your dog​ or cat at PAT

As we said, no formal training is required for your cat or dog to become one of PAT’s therapy pets. PAT will conduct a temperament assessment before moving forward with an application - this is to ensure the pet is good-natured, calm, healthy and isn’t likely to jump up and steal food or be overly vocal. And of course, they'll need to love being around people and all types of loving human attention!

Although PAT made 168,500 visits to local communities across the UK in 2024 alone, they are always looking to recruit more volunteers. And what could be more rewarding than volunteering with your dog or cat? Plus, as a PAT Volunteer, you’re actively encouraged to talk about your pet on visits and allow other people to share the love with them too.

Who benefits from you volunteering with your dog or cat

People in nursing homes

Residents who love animals and are no longer able to own a pet are always thrilled to spend time with a PAT dog. Stroking a dog can bring back happy memories and give them the chance to reminisce, helping to improve a person’s mood and well-being.

Building the confidence of school children

PAT dogs visit schools as part of the charity’s Read2Dogs scheme and love listening to a story. Reluctant readers are happy to pick up a book when a waggy-tailed chum is by their side – dogs don’t chide a child for making mistakes, so this encourages them to read aloud. 

Hospital patients

Simply stroking a pet has a calming effect. Your heart beats more slowly and your blood pressure reduces, which in turn can reduce stress or tension. PAT dogs can distract patients who are anxious about an operation or medical procedure, and maybe even aid a person’s recovery.

You!

With a trusty pal in tow, anything is possible. Any act of kindness not only makes a difference to someone else’s life, but it can also make you have a more positive outlook. Volunteering with your dog and seeing first-hand the impact you’re both having on others makes you feel proud, appreciated, and valued. Win-win!

If you want to find out more about Pets as Therapy, you can check out their website. Or, if you want to start volunteering with your dog ASAP, head to the site Therapy Dog Volunteer - Imperial Health Charity.