WAG therapy dogs help many people as part of an holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Who can benefit?

Patients at the hospital, people at day centres, residents in care homes or lonely people in their own home can all enjoy a visit from therapy animals.

Just stroking a friendly and kind dog can bring feelings of comfort, and can reduce stress levels or anxiety.

Often they can improve the quality of life for dementia sufferers, sometimes triggering long suppressed emotions or memories.

Establishments including Health and Social Care Service Areas, private nursing homes, day care centres  and private individuals can ask us to provide WAG therapy animal visits.

Volunteers benefit too, often finding that experiencing the reaction of people interacting with their animals is very rewarding.

What’s the process?

Initially we will visit the establishment to discuss with the manager what a therapy visit will involve. We then identify the volunteer and animal who best suits the environment and people they will meet.

Next we revisit the establishment to introduce the volunteer (without their dog) so that the volunteer is familiar with the surroundings when he or she begins visits with their animal.

WAG dogs are at least 15 months old and are fully assessed to ensure that their temperament and behaviour are suitable for visiting vulnerable people.