Pets As Therapy

Pets As Therapy (PAT) in the UK is a charity founded in 1983 which provides visiting dogs and cats to establishments where pets are otherwise not available. There are currently around 4,500 active visiting dogs and 108 cats at work in the UK. They visit all kinds of organisations across the UK from schools to homes for older people. The presence of a dog can have a positive impact on physiology and psychology and help reduce stress levels.
Dogs can be assessed as Assistance Dogs or Therapy Dogs. Assistance Dogs are trained to perform a specific set of tasks and focus on a single person. Therapy dogs are generally pet dogs belonging to a volunteer who will visit care homes, hospitals, schools or community hubs to provide comfort.
Cariad Pet Therapy, a Community Interest Company based in Haverfordwest won the 2022 Wellbeing in Wales award. It supports eighty-two therapy dogs.
Organisations which the organisation works with include Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and East Surrey Hospital.
Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth has six dogs volunteering through the charity. According to the Senior Occupational Therapist in the Acute Stroke Team the dogs are vital to the rehabilitation of patients.
Children attending Essex clinics for Covid-19 vaccinations were helped through the experience by therapy dogs, funded by Thurrock Council. The councillor responsible for adults and health said that “Therapy animals can provide numerous benefits, particularly at stressful or anxious times, by offering a much needed and welcome distraction."

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