Just wondering if anyone has ever had a PAT (pets as therapy) dog?
I would love to do this but I can't at the moment because of my job...I have it on my list of things to do when I retire...as well as adopting a few more goldens!
Maybe if you haven't done this PAT work, you can share with us ways your dog/s past or present have helped others?
I have a friend and when his father passed away suddenly he sent his dog (lab) to live with his mother for a while...the dog was her reason for getting up each day after the loss of her husband and it really helpd her. I thought it was a wonderful idea at the time.
In 1985 my wonderful Barney became the first PAT dog in Lancashire. He was just perfect for it and I went into Care homes for the elderly . We had two we went into each week. It is very tiring for a dog to be in such demand and an hour is long enough.
The people would wait for him with treats at the ready so had to give him less to eat on those days or he would have been like a house side. The fact that a dog came and sat by their side was a source of comfort to the ones who had had a dog and missed them so much. I do think it is sad that old people can not take their loved pet with them .I think it is barbaric
but that is another story.
The owner used to sat that after we had gone the people used to start talking about their dog or dogs in general and it was a stimulus .
I used to go into junior schools and some senior ones and give talks on PAT dogs.
One of my rescues, Jessie, is a PAT dog at Derien House so if you need info I can give you a number.
I have heard of these P.A.T. dogs but have never met one. Their history makes interesting reading, but as you say,you have to be able to find the time to do this.
I'm sure they DO make such a difference to people's lives as I can remember when MY father died, my mum,s little dog was her reason for getting out of bed in the morning
A friend of ours had a P.A.T. dog. Bliss was really gentle and laid back, and thoroughly loved doing visits. Can't imagine Willow doing it, as she likes to climb up people to kiss them. I do try to lay the law down with NO, OFF. If you saw her expression, " oh, I'm so hurt", you'd think she had been walloped.
It must be lovely for the elderly to have contact with a dog if they have had them in the past. Like Jan, I think it must be awful for them if they have to give their pet up, to go into a residential place. Ooh, let's not go there, the very thought gives me the eebie geebies.
I sometimes take our Gordon into the residential home where my Mum lives. The residents absolutely adore him, and can never get over how big he is. They all call him the teddy bear. My Mum and late Dad always looked after our first dog when we needed doggy sitters, and we always had a dog whilst I was growing up. My Mum absolutely adores dogs, but her response when we got Gordon was "why've you got a great big thundering dog like that for!!", although I think she secretly loves him. Just like your dog Jan, Gordy always gets treats off the residents. One lady at the home used to do a lot of work for the RSPCA, and although she now has dementia, she absolutely loves Gordon and follows us around the home. See, our Gordy not only cheers us up, but everyone he meets!!! That's a true Goldie for you xx
I to think its so wrong that the elderly don't get to take their pets with them I would be heart broken if i couldn't take mone with me. Infact Neil and i talked the other night and he said he would want custody of the dogs if we ever divorced, i said "No way Mr"
I have heard of these P.A.T. dogs but have never met one. Their history makes interesting reading, but as you say,you have to be able to find the time to do this.
I would be heart broken if i couldn't take mone with me. Infact Neil and i talked the other night and he said he would want custody of the dogs if we ever divorced, i said "No way Mr" 