Pets As Therapy (PAT) is a national charity that send volunteers and
their pets to visit care homes, hospitals, hospices, schools and prisons. Their
aim is to simply bring smiles to many faces and give people of all ages a
chance to chat to someone — and stroke and cuddle a friendly dog or
cat.
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply, so long as our pet is at least nine months old, and
you must have known them for at least six months. They are looking V for
volunteers of all ages and walks of life. PAT Pets should be friendly and calm,
healthy and well-groomed, and love being fussed over. Breed doesn't matter,
with mutts just as welcome as pedigrees.
It should be noted (at the time of writing) that PAT will not take dogs
that are raw fed, owing to the poor health of a lot of the people being
visited.
Signing up
We knew from friends and relations that they operated in our area, so we went ahead and sent in our application, which is all done online.
There are two types
of membership, a solo volunteer or a joint volunteer account. For the humans,
two different references are required per person volunteering, passport style
photos, and there is also an annual volunteer contribution (payable once the
assessment has been completed and passed). For the dogs, proof of up-to-date
vaccinations are required as well as assurances that your dog is fit and
healthy with a note of any medication your pet is on. For example, Missy is on antihistamines,
owing to both a dairy and an environmental allergy. Lastly, we had to take Missy’s
"passport" photo:
The Assessment
Using our postcode,
we were assigned to the nearest assessor and made contact. As covid was very
much a concern at the start of the year, we had scheduled to do an outdoor
assessment at a mutually agreeable location. Of course, it decided to both snow
and rain on us that day and so, masks on, we relocated to an indoors location.
Both dog and owner
are assessed, so Missy got to do it twice as my husband also wanted to
volunteer.
During the 45 minutes, the following must be demonstrated:
Walking on a relaxed
lead, without excessive pulling and without the use of head collars, harnesses
or check chains. At the same time, the owner must demonstrate control of
their dog on the lead whilst holding a conversation with the assessor.
Pawing, or putting
paws up
Pulling on the lead
Reluctance/backing
away when being fussed
Vocalisations, such
as barking or growling
Mouthing
Licking
Taking food greedily
There was only one
area I wasn't sure on - Missy’s absolute apathy about being handled. She'll
very gently take her paw back once she's determined you've held onto it for
long enough and will simply stand there stoically whilst being brushed. Such
indifference proved to be a laughing point with the assessor, who claimed to
have never met a dog so passively disinterested in being groomed.
Whilst occasionally
there will be an email sent from the area coordinator asking for volunteers for
a specific event, your mostly left to organise things for yourself. From your
postcode, you'll get a list of what's available in the area and from there you
just email/call and organise something that’s mutually convenient.
One, you are under no
obligation to purchase any of the PAT uniform for yourself or the dog. We
haven't bought anything (if your representing PAT at an event you can borrow a
uniform). Although I will confess the little dog vest is calling out to
me!
Two, it's entirely
down to what suits you - you can visit places as often or as little as you
want. And if somewhere didn't feel right, you’re under no obligation to go
back. The only rule is that visits should not exceed 2 hours without a break
for the dog.
On our first visit,
we were a bit unsure about the process as we were mostly met with "oh, a
dog, very nice, there, there". It just didn't feel particularly rewarding.
That was until we met a very elderly lady who was stone deaf. She was absently
watching the TV and, upon spotting Missy, just came to life. There was a
delighted cry as she moved with a speed I did not expect and bodily hugged
Missy. There was laughter and tears and many treats given. The staff explained
that she had grown up in a farm and absolutely loved dogs. The visit only went
up from there as we met a gentleman who used to breed greyhounds and multiple
other characters who were happy to share stories whilst fawning over
Missy.
For myself and my
husband, it's been a very rewarding experience. Firstly, we like people. We
like talking to people and helping out where we can. So, this kind of
volunteering is naturally really rewarding for us.
However, we're also
ridiculously busy people, and the flexibility has allowed us to fit in
volunteering when it suits us. And that's been absolutely brilliant. I don't
feel I'm letting anyone down or having to fit things in when it doesn't suit.
Which makes me enjoy the visits more.
A lovely, well informed post about PAT. You can clearly tell all three of you are well suited for it!
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