Pets As Therapy

05/11/2025

Stress Awareness Day 🐾

We know first-hand the positive impact that pets can have on mental well-being 🐱🐶

They bring so much joy and comfort, offering unconditional love, companionship, and can even help reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that spending time with pets can boost our mood, encourage physical activity, and provide a sense of purpose.

One of the most important benefits of our Pets As Therapy volunteer visits is the calming and stress relieving effects that spending time with an animal can have.

On this important day, let's celebrate the positive effects our furry friends have on our mental health. Please share a story of how your pet has helped your mental health or someone you knows!

04/11/2025

We have been asked many times if big breeds make good therapy dogs. The answer is: the breed does not matter!

All they need to be is friendly, calm and love being fussed over.

Now, look at these lovelies who are some of the most loving PAT Dogs we have.
Nell (Newfoundland) , Rodney (Rottweiler), Woody (St Bernard) and Evie (Bull Mastiff), representing for the big breeds.

03/11/2025

If you know anyone who has a place in the London Marathon or is planning to take part in any other sporting events, please consider asking them to support Pets as Therapy by running and raising funds for our incredible charity.

Pets as Therapy volunteers work tirelessly to improve the lives of thousands through the companionship of therapy animals, and every donation helps to expand their reach and impact. By choosing to run for PAT, participants can make a real difference by bringing comfort, connection, and joy to those who need it most.

03/11/2025

01/11/2025

Remember, remember the 5th of November ✨

Fireworks can be fun for us but for our pets they can be terrifying. Many animals have sensitive hearing and don’t understand what’s happening, which can lead to anxiety, stress, or even escape attempts.

Here’s some tips on how you can help keep your pets calm and safe:
• Walk them before dark to avoid fireworks
• Keep them indoors with curtains closed and the TV or radio on
• Create a cosy den or hiding spots where they feel safe
• Use pheromone diffusers or calming supplements to help reduce stress. We’d recommend YuMOVE UK Calming Care range.

If your PAT dog has any scheduled visits on a day where fireworks are likely, make sure your visits are early before any activities start. If they have a visit the day after don’t worry if you need to cancel as to not cause any further stress. Your dog’s wellbeing is the most important thing.

31/10/2025

Lights, camera, action… 🎥

PAT dog Teddy and his amazing pawrent Rebecca have created a one-of-a-kind, movie-themed 2026 calendar to raise funds for Pets As Therapy!

Each calendar costs £15, with 100% of profits going directly to support our mission — helping us recruit more brilliant volunteers to bring smiles, comfort, and joy to those who need it most.

To get your paws on a calendar, please email [email protected]. Order by 25th November to receive yours in time for Christmas!

What are you waiting for? Make a difference today and enjoy a little movie magic with Teddy!💛

30/10/2025

Congratulations to Pets As Therapy volunteer Pam and her wonderful dog, Cooper, who were recently named Volunteer of the Year at the Birmingham Women's Hospital and Charity Spirit Awards! 🏆

Pam’s compassion and dedication truly shine through in everything she does. As Engagement Officer Ian shared, “Nothing is ever too big an ask for Pam.” From creating a heartfelt video with Cooper to celebrate a patient’s birthday, to supporting a therapy session that helped a patient overcome their fear of dogs, Pam and Cooper embody the incredible impact of the Pets As Therapy community

29/10/2025

Halloween can be fun for humans but a little spooky for our furry friends! Here are some quick tips to keep your pets safe and stress-free this spooky season:

🍬Keep treats out of reach
Chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free sweets), and raisins are toxic to dogs and cats. Keep all treats well away from curious noses!

🕯️Be careful with decorations
Pumpkin candles and light cords can be tempting to chew. Keep them high up or use battery-operated candles instead.

🚪Doorbell = stress alert
If your pet gets anxious with visitors, set them up in a quiet room with their bed, toys, and some calming background noise.

👻Costumes are optional
If your pet doesn’t enjoy dressing up — don’t force it. Make sure any costume allows them to move, breathe, and see comfortably.

🐾Microchip & ID check
Doors opening and closing all evening means a higher chance of escapes. Double check their ID tag and microchip info are up to date!

27/10/2025

We've had quite a few new followers recently so we wanted to re-introduce ourselves and tell you more about the work we do 👋

At Pets As Therapy, our work is all about creating everyday moments of magic. We partner with schools, hospitals, care homes and community groups to bring the comfort, companionship and joy of a therapy pet visit to those who need it most.

From reducing stress and anxiety to boosting confidence and communication, our visits make a real difference to people’s wellbeing. With thousands of volunteers nationwide, we’re working to reach more people every year – ensuring that wherever there’s a need for a lift, a wagging tail or a gentle purr is never too far away.

If you'd like to learn more about volunteering or are interested in arranging a visit for your establishment, visit our website today >> https://www.petsastherapy.org/

26/10/2025

Pets are pretty incredible. They give us unconditional love, without judgement or expectation. And they have a knack for knowing how we feel and giving us exactly what we need – even when we don't know it ourselves.

Could your pet spread the joy? Visit our website to find out hoe you could become a volunteer 🐾

24/10/2025

This month, we were delighted to unveil our refreshed brand identity with the support of actor Cathy Shipton, best known for playing much-loved nurse Duffy in BBC’s Casualty.

Away from the screen, Cathy is a dedicated Pets As Therapy Volunteer with her 10-year-old dog, a collie/whippet called Pickle. Together they bring comfort, confidence and companionship to children at local schools, nurseries, libraries and colleges across Buckinghamshire.

As part of the launch, Cathy has lent her voice to our brand-new animation, helping to bring our charity’s mission to life and showcase the transformative impact of PAT Teams across the UK.

23/10/2025

Our Read2Dogs programme helps children build literacy skills while boosting their confidence and concentration in the classroom.

By reading aloud to a PAT Dog, children discover the joy of storytelling in a relaxed, supportive environment. The experience not only makes reading fun, but also encourages empathy, trust, and a deeper understanding of animals.

Every year, we bring PAT Dogs into hundreds of schools, making a real difference to young people’s lives.

If you know a school that could benefit from welcoming our PAT Dogs, please get in touch or visit https://www.petsastherapy.org/book-a-visit/schools

📷 Thank you to Okehampton Library and Rafa the PAT dog for the great picture!