Pets as Therapy at our Cotswold Community Wellbeing Service Hubs
At our Community Wellbeing Hub in Stow-on-the-Wold last week, we had a lovely visit from four super-cute dogs from the Gloucestershire branch of Pets As Therapy. The dogs also brought their owners along - many thanks from us to the dogs and their humans!
Gerald Seal (above right), Voluntary Coordinator for Pets As Therapy in the county, explained the aims of the charity, how the therapy dogs are selected, and the sorts of places they visit, which include care homes, schools, and hospitals.
A visit from a therapy dog can almost work miracles at times, Gerald explained. For example, a traumatised child in hospital had become mute, but started whispering to the therapy dog during a visit from one of Gerald's team. With encouragement from the therapy dog's owner, the child then quickly started talking to people again.
After Gerald's introductory talk, there was plenty of time for everyone to meet and stroke the dogs...
If you'd like to meet the Pets As Therapy dogs, there's another opportunity at our Community Hub in Moreton-in-Marsh on Monday 3rd July, 10.30am at Jameson Court - see this poster for full details.