Must be friendly, cuddly, and calm – the search is on for a new four-legged volunteer to bring cuddles and smiles to children and young people at Derian House Children’s Hospice.
The children’s charity, based in Astley Village, Chorley, is looking for a top dog to join its team of volunteers after the retirement of therapy pup, Tallulah the Labradoodle.
The new Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog will join Shuna the German shorthaired pointer in visiting the hospice to provide physical, emotional, and social support for its families for just a couple of hours each week.
The benefits of having a therapy dog have been well-documented, with studies showing stroking a pet can reduce stress and bring a calming effect.
At the hospice, children love to stroke the dogs’ soft ears, and can even take them for walks around the hospice corridors.
Shuna, a certified Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog, has been visiting Derian House with her owners Linda and Phil Martlew for six years.
Linda said: “Shuna loves coming to Derian House. She always gets a lot of cuddles and strokes, and the children and young people love her.”
Frances Lees, Volunteer Services Coordinator at Derian House, said: “We’re on the hunt for our new therapy pup – does your dog have what it takes?
“A simple cuddle or a wagging tail can bring a smile to a child’s face, and we’re hoping to find a dog who’s ready to join our team of incredible volunteers to help make a real difference.
“We welcome all kinds of volunteers at Derian House. It will cost £6million to run services at Derian House this year, and so they play a vital role in what we do at Derian House and make an incredible difference to our families – we simply couldn’t do without them!”
Pets and their owners must register and receive full certification from the Pets as Therapy (PAT) charity and can apply online: www.petsastherapy.org
Find out more about the Pets as Therapy volunteer role: https://careers.derianhouse.co.uk/Department/Volunteer
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
27 Nov
