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Andy
Angie
Angus
Bailey
Bella
Bentley
Captain Morgan
Cleo
Cilka
Contessa
Danny
Danya
Dolla
Eddie
Ferdi
Flippie
Frolic
Georgie
Hazel
Huey
Humphrey
Huxley
Jade
Jaxon
Jimi
Joey
Lici
Malinka
Makai
Mickey
Miss Lily
Monty
Murphy
Nandi
Nini
Oliver
Ollie
Ozzy
Panda
Peaches
Poppy
Rosy
Rover
Rue
Scud
Sky
Skyla
Strawberry
Sweet Pea
Taffy
Tallulah
Teddy
Tiger
Timber
Tonto
Welcome to
Pets as Therapy
PAT is a community-based, voluntary outreach organisation that coordinates animal assisted activities in a range of settings.
PAT organises for animal guardians and their animal companions (mainly dogs) to visit people in hospices, retirement homes, frail care facilities, special needs schools, residential centres, and a variety of other venues. PAT visits bring company, support, comfort, pleasure, stress relief, and stimulation to those living either permanently or temporarily in these and other establishments.
There is a fortune of scientific evidence showing that the interaction between humans and other animals are therapeutic – physically, emotionally, psychologically, and socially.
Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely, and less depressed.
Visits from pets can provide a welcome change from routine, or the renewal of old friendships.
People become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with animals.
An animal visit can offer entertainment or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity.
People often talk to the visiting pets and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories.
Animal visits provide something to look forward to.
Stroking a dog or cat can reduce a person’s blood pressure, and petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and turning.
Pets as Therapy also offers the Lees-Ukufunda-Read programme. This additional programme is for all existing PAT members who wish to assist children, at Grade 3 level, to improve their reading skills. This programme can take place in a school or library.
During these visits, children sit and read a book to the animal companion without fear of judgment. PAT members need to attend an additional workshop, pass an open book test and be registered with R.E.A.D. in the USA to become part of this programme.