Pets as Therapy (PAT) is a national charity founded in l983. It is unique in that it provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues by volunteers with their own friendly, temperament tested and vaccinated dogs and cats. Since it’s beginning over 18,000 dogs have been registered into the PAT scheme. Every year some of these retire and new dogs, having first been examined and passed on health, temperament, suitability and stability grounds, join Pets As Therapy.Today there are currently around 3,500 active PAT visiting dogs and 90 cats at work in the UK. Every week these calm friendly dogs and cats give more than 100,000 people, both young and old, the pleasure and chance to cuddle and talk to them. The bedsides that are visited each year number a staggering half million.

Sick patients often feel isolated and even the most withdrawn seem to open up and let the barriers down when their regular PAT visiting dog is around. These dogs bring everyday life closer and with it all the happy associations for them of home comforts. The constant companionship of an undemanding animal, that gives unconditional love, is often one of the most missed aspects of their lives. PAT was formed to help make this loss more bearable and speed recovery.Research continues to validate the very real value of this daily work undertaken in the community by voluntary PAT visitors and their dogs that work amongst those of us most in need of a little extra boost in addition to medical skills and nursing care.Once new visitors have passed their dogs through the assessment and health check procedure and each has come forward with two character references, their local Area Co-ordinator or allocated contact waits to be contacted to activate the visiting process. This hard working team of volunteers throughout the UK keep in regular contact with a designated number of PAT dogs and cats and their owners. The Area Co-ordinators are in turn supported by Regional Directors and they maintain regular contact with every unit in their region, which PAT dogs already visit. They also hold the list of establishments keen to be matched with a suitable new recruit when one becomes available.

This is a community led charity, which very much thinks nationally but acts locally, particularly in respect of vital fund raising activities. Not every dog can be a PAT dog and not every dog owner has the time to undertake regular hospital visits. However, the charity is working hard on a day-to-day basis to recruit and register more suitable dogs, and their volunteer owners, to swell numbers and meet demand. Pets As Therapy’s Circle of Friends help to involve people who don’t have suitable pets but would like to be involved. PAT Junior Club encourages children and young adults to become involved with and learn about our work in the community and responsible ownership in a fun way. We are in the process of setting in place research to further validate the very real health benefits these animals bring daily into the lives of those people who are ill or disabled.

All PAT dogs and cats are required to pass an assessment to check their temperament by PAT accredited assessors, qualified vets and vet nurses and to be fully vaccinated or homoeopathically protected, wormed and protected against fleas. Records are required by the charity and each volunteer is bound to send copies when boosters have been givenEach PAT dog has an identifying tag on its collar and many of them wear a distinctive yellow coat. The owner has a photo ID badge which is worn for security at all times when visiting. Pets As Therapy have introduced a photo ID tag for its PAT Dogs & Cats as well. As the largest charity of its type in Europe, Pets As Therapy recognises that security needs are paramount and that busy authorities and on duty staff alike, need the reassurance of a therapeutic supportive service which is problem free.