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Pets As Therapy - Debsbrie Briards
 Pets As Therapy is a national charity now in its 25th year.
It is unique in that it provides temperament assessed/vaccinated PAT Dogs and PAT Cats with registered volunteers to hospitals, hospices, residential care homes, day centres, special needs schools and many other establishments often providing comfort, companionship and therapy
Both Darcy and Dexter are PAT registered dogs and visit residential homes on a regular basis.
I am a PAT assessor, although obviously I didn’t assess my own dogs and also a PAT area coordinator for Wiltshire.
If you’ve owned your dog for at least 9 months, lived with your dog for a minimum of 6 months, have at least an hour to spare each week, and like to see people’s eyes light up when you walk in the room with your dog, then you too could become a PAT volunteer.
Your dog will have to go through an assessment where the assessor will check that your dog is sociable and friendly without being over-boisterous.
Your dog should be calm and gentle when being groomed or stroked, without mouthing you or the grooming equipment.
The examiner will also want to see how your dog reacts to a sudden noise – such as a walking stick falling to the floor.
It is normal for a dog to back away, but is he confident enough to approach again readily if asked to do so?
In my opinion, these are all fairly simple tasks for a pet Briard!
You need to specify two referees in your application.
PAT will then contact these people for a reference.
 A photocopy of your dogs vaccination certificate, a passport picture of you, and a picture of your dog also needs to be enclosed when returning the application pack, along with a cheque for £19 for membership to qualify for the obligatory insurance.
I have been visiting residential care homes for a few years now with my two Briards and can see the enjoyment it brings to the residents.
Darcy can’t wait to get through the door as there are always biscuits saved for her arrival.
What’s an hour out of my week when it brings such big smiles to peoples faces?
It just makes it all worthwhile.
If you need convincing to join PAT, maybe you could warm to this idea – instead of taking your dog for a muddy walk in the cold wet weather, why not bring a smile to someone’s face.
My Briards definitely enjoy all the attention and biscuits as much as a walk.
Visit the Pets As Therapy website www.petsastherapy.org
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