Most people love animals, but it is not always possible to have a pet due to financial, family or health issues. Older people in particular, may miss the company of a pet as failing health means they can no longer look after it.Research has shown that stroking an animal can lower blood pressure and add to general feelings of well-being so PETS AS THERAPY was set up to bring comfort, companionship and healing to patients and residents in hospitals, nursing and residential care homes, hospices, special and mainstream schools and Day Care Centres.

PETS AS THERAPY relies on registered volunteers and their pets to carry out the work.   The charity started over 26 years ago and since then more than 20,000 dogs have been registered with them.   Currently there are about 4,300 PAT dogs and 106 PAT cats at work in the UK.

Often volunteers will work alongside speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, encouraging mobility, speech improvement and helping to reduce anxiety.

Speech and language therapists from INTEGRATED TREATMENT SERVICES have recommended PAT to carers of children with learning disabilities who would benefit from having contact with an animal and experiencing the joy an animal can bring.

Some children and adults suffer from debilitating phobias of dogs and PAT volunteers have worked alongside clinical psychologists to help people overcome their fears.   A phobia of dogs can mean people are unwilling to leave their homes in case they encounter a dog and this can lead to social isolation and even depression.

One small scale study at Sunderland Royal Hospital, carried out by Dr. Nigel Trevarrow, a clinical psychologist, helped children to overcome their phobia.  Dr. Trevarrow commented “Pets As Therapy has played a fundamental role in the treatment of children with dog phobias”.

To see a video of PETS AS THERAPY in action, click the following link: http://petsastherapy.org/media