Pets As Therapy

17/12/2025

We are LOVING seeing all your festive photos! 🎅

Comment below any pictures of your pets getting in the Christmas spirit.

16/12/2025

With demand for PAT visits growing rapidly across the UK, we urgently need your help to support more volunteers, reach more communities and bring these moments of magic to more people.

Here is a message from wonderful PAT volunteer Sam and her dog, Chance, who have brought joy and comfort to hundreds of staff and patients over the years.

“We love volunteering at the hospital each week and we have chosen to visit on Christmas Day. For many staff there isn’t that choice over the Christmas holidays and we would like to show them how much we appreciate their service. The voluntary services team are amazing. Very supportive and really appreciate what we do.”

If you can give even a small amount to our Christmas appeal, you’ll be helping to share comfort, joy, and hope with those who need it most and we are truly grateful for your kindness.

16/12/2025

15/12/2025

Santa’s made his list and checked it twice… but when it comes to PAT dogs, is there really any doubt which side they’re on? 😄🎄

12/12/2025

Could you help us create more special moments like this?

Across the UK, thousands of people will spend this Christmas feeling isolated, anxious or facing incredibly difficult moments. But a simple wagging tail, a quiet snuggle or the soft weight of a dog’s head on someone’s lap can change everything, even if only for a few precious minutes.

Please give the gift of magic this Christmas - https://www.facebook.com/donate/867938109246620/

11/12/2025

Please vote for us to win £1,000! 💙

The Benefact Group's Movement for Good Campaign is celebrating the festive season by giving 120 charities £1,000 each over 12 days – and we would love to be one of them! ☃️

Nominations are open now and close on December 15th 2025

If you’ve already nominated Pets As Therapy in one of The Benefact Group’s draws this year, thank you! But the more entries, the more chances we have of winning, so if you haven’t nominated yet, please take a few moments to help boost our chances by voting here 👉

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

10/12/2025

Across the UK, thousands of people will spend the holidays feeling isolated, anxious or facing incredibly hard moments. But a gentle nuzzle, a wagging tail or a dog resting their head on someone’s lap can change everything.

Just ask Charles. His PAT Dog, Annie — a tiny Yorkshire Terrier with a huge heart — brings comfort to children learning to read, stressed students, and people in hospices who simply need to know they’re not alone.

Your donation can help more teams like Charles and Annie reach those who need this magic most.

Gift the gift of magic here - https://www.facebook.com/donate/867938109246620/1306180538216622

09/12/2025

With demand for PAT visits growing rapidly across the UK, we urgently need your help to support more volunteers, reach more communities and bring these moments of magic to more people.

Karen, the owner of Toffee and Dixie, has a personal connection to the PAT program through her family's care at Elenor Hospice. She has been a PAT volunteer since 2004, bringing comfort and companionship to patients, relatives, and staff alike.

If you can give even a small amount to our Christmas appeal, you’ll be helping to share comfort, joy, and hope with those who need it most and we are truly grateful for your kindness.

07/12/2025

Congratulations to everyone graduating this month! 🎓

It’s such a special time of year as students celebrate their incredible achievements and we’re so proud that many of our PAT dogs are part of those celebrations.

Our PAT dogs also visit universities throughout the year to welcome new students and support them during busy or stressful times. Spending just a few minutes with a therapy dog has been shown to help reduce anxiety, boost mood, and make people feel more connected, something we all need when starting a new chapter.

How great does Ralph look? 😀🐾

05/12/2025

Pets As Therapy dog, Eric, was delighted to spend time with the Aircraft Engineering students at Exeter College’s Future Skills Centre.

With such an intensive and high-pressure course, taking a pause with a friendly furry visitor can make all the difference.

Thank you, Eric, for bringing calm where it’s needed most 🐶

04/12/2025

03/12/2025

Annie and her owner Charles Rae are one of the many PAT Teams making a difference every day in hospices, hospitals, care homes, classrooms, universities and community settings. Their story reflects the growing need for therapy dog visits across the UK and the importance of public support this Christmas.

Annie started volunteering at Ayrshire Hospice in 2023 after a behaviourist recognised her gentle nature.

For Charles, it was the chance to return to a place he’d hoped to support ever since visiting as a young engineer 40 years ago.

Annie instinctively adapts to each patient offering calm, connection and memories of much-loved pets.

Demand for PAT visits continues to rise across the UK especially in hospices, hospitals and schools, but we urgently need more volunteers and donations to meet the need.

If you can spare anything to help us give the gift of magic this Christmas then please donate here >> https://www.facebook.com/donate/867938109246620/