Velma's Pets As Therapy Inc Assoc

19/12/2024

Erina, Central Coast, NSW, Australia

🆘 We Need Blankets for our Erina Shelter!! 🆘

Our washing machine has decided it’s time to call it quits at our Erina Shelter and we are now in desperate need of blankets for our dogs and cats!

We would be very grateful for blankets big or small, provided they have no stuffing (so no doonas) and are clean and in good condition 🐾

We are also in need of bath mats for our cat cages as well 😸

Our Erina Shelter is located within the council depot on Pateman Rd, Erina.

Any donations from our amazing community is much appreciated at this time 🎄

Thank you ❤️

Please Share 🐾

Rescuing Today. Changing Tomorrow.

19/12/2024

03/12/2024

❌ PLEASE LEAVE THEM IN THE SHOPS ❌

The vast majority of these rawhide products and treats come from China.

Their journey starts with the hides being soaked in a toxic sodium sulphide to remove the hair and fat. More chemicals are used in order to split the hide into layers which is then washed with hydrogen peroxide to give the white "pure" look and remove the rancid smell.
Now comes the pretty festive colours and the glue to form cute shapes.

They regularly cause intestinal blockages and choking. The chews go slippery when wet and are near impossible to get hold of to save a choking dog.

Please be safe with your dogs!

18/11/2024

We love sharing our visit report feedback from our pets as therapy visits. This one was to an aged care facility this month.

Amber's second visit was another complete success. She's keen to move from one area to the next, eager to make more friends and get more attention. No signs of tiredness from our girl!

The response in the memory care area was particularly noteworthy on this visit. Residents really perked up when she came in with her enthusiastic, happy energy. They couldn't help smiling. One lady was in the nursing station in a "Help me!" spiral. They wheeled her out to look at Amber and the result was everything you could hope for. She smiled, she commented on how lovely Amber was, and she stroked Amber (with her hand carefully held the whole time, of course). Pets are great therapists! Another couple really engaged with me, talking about how I walked Amber and how good it was to walk a dog for both me and her. They were terribly impressed by her tricks, too. There was a really high level of engagement from all residents in an area where any response is a win.

Outside the upstairs dining area there was a mother sitting with her son. She had a frozen-looking face and was minimally responsive. The son said she had dogs and would like to meet Amber. When she put her hand on Amber's back she started to become more animated and told us about her dachshunds. It was really lovely. You could tell he was thrilled, too.

Those were just a few of the many people she charmed. She also charmed the local vet during our morning walk (when I had on my uniform), so I hope to do some talks for the puppy classes there in future.

15/11/2024

Once and for all, let's stop putting our hand or fist in a dog's face to sniff. Dog's don't like it. It's very bad manners. Do dog's do that to other dogs? What would we think if another human stranger did that to us? Approach slowly. If the dog wants to meet you they will approach you. If they don't approach you, that's their decision that we must accept.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3420031844968021

15/11/2024

15/11/2024

🥳🥳 We Won 🥳🥳

A huge thank you to the staff at the Commonwealth Bank for nominating Socares to participate in their CommBank Community Donation Program 🐾

We were fortunate enough to receive the highest number of votes from their customers and community members ❤️

On Friday, Commonwealth Bank representatives, Chanelle and Steve presented Marilyn our Socares President with a whopping $5000 grant 🫶

We are extremely grateful and appreciative for your support and votes. This grant will assist us immensely to take care of our 300 plus Socares animals 🐾

Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏

Rescuing Today. Changing Tomorrow.

29/10/2024

Seeking urgent foster carer or foster to adopt for Charlie, a 3 yr old, 3 kilo, Toy Poodle little girl.

She needs to be the only dog in the home. She’s happy meeting dogs when out and about though enjoys being the only dog in her home. Prefer Central Coast area and will consider Sydney or Newcastle areas. Charlie is very sweet, playful, loves being cuddled, sleeping on your bed and on your lap, when she gets to know you. Has had a traumatic past and can experience PTSD if triggered so needs a patient person, preferably someone who understands fearful signals. Please send your contact details, your experience with dogs and your location. Thank you. [email protected]

07/10/2024

18/07/2024

Date of event: 16th July 2024

Pet Therapy and Dog Management Workshop at a Youth Center

VPAT visitor: Susan and Tyrion, Sam and Willow, Vicki and Louis

Accompanying person’s title: Youth Development Officer

Accompanying person’s report: It was great to learn more about the benefits of Pet Therapy, how to read dogs, and how to approach dogs when first meeting them. We had a large group who were really engaged with the presentation. They particularly liked the part at the end discussing dog body language and they were able to pick out the subtleties in dog facial expressions very well. The youth workers said that they learned a lot and enjoyed the talk too. Everyone went home with good tips about respectful interaction and an appreciation of the benefits of pet therapy.

VPAT visitors report: The workshop went exceedingly well. We had a full house. It was a great atmosphere. The body language part of the workshop was well received by those interested in learning more. Attendees were surprised to hear how most dogs feel disrespected when being touched on their head or face by a stranger. It was a real eye-opener for some. Everyone enjoyed watching the fun dog tricks and had an entertaining, educational and fun time, most of all the dogs.

10/07/2024

More great feedback from a recent visit with Cheryl and Mia (Bichon Frise) to a residential aged care facility.

Accompanying person’s title - Recreational Officer
Accompanying person’s report - The residents enjoy the company and personality of Mia. Mia was placid, relaxed and her temperament was suitable to the comfort and pleasure of the residents. The smiles went for miles.

VPAT visitors report - The staff and the residents fell in love with Mia as soon as we walked into the building. Their faces just lit up when they saw her. Minnie couldn’t wait to sit down so she could enjoy Mia on her lap. All the residents just adored her.

11/06/2024

This year Velma's Pets As Therapy charity are proudly celebrating our 25 years of service. This video was made 9 years ago but it still shows exactly what we are doing today. Turn up the volume and boogie with your doggy!

Velma's Pets as Therapy commenced in April1999 by Velma Violet Harris.We train people and their own friendly pets to offer physical, mental and social stimul...

25/04/2024

Comments from our service.

VISIT TO: Residential Aged Care Facility. Visit date: 16th December.

Pets As Therapy visitors were Amanda and Benji (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).

The accompanying staff member’s comments -
“Bob was delighted to have Benji snuggle up to him in bed. He told us about his spaniel and showed us a photo of it. Bob really loves pet visits. The residents in dementia unit were happy to have Benji sit on tables on his target mat at eye level so they could pat him. They commented on his soft fur and how handsome he is. Thora laughed with delight when Benji’s tail brushed against her legs. His visit triggered happy memories of her childhood and family pets.”

04/04/2024

04/04/2024

Velma's Pets As Therapy Inc Assoc (VPAT) has been enriching the lives of people, and pets by bringing them together safely, and respectfully, for mutual benefits since 1999. 🐶

The VPAT program visits hospitals, nursing homes, respite programs, schools, group homes and individuals being supported in their own homes. The wonderful volunteers at VPAT, both animal and human, are experienced in visiting frail, challenged and vulnerable people and children and people experiencing dementia.

We are excited that Velma’s Pets as Therapy will be one of 11 community organisations receiving a Director’s Grant next month. 😍