There are numerous charities which involve dogs and Pets as Therapy is one of them. Founded in 1983, the charity aims to bring comfort and companionship to patients or persons who cannot look after a pet of their own or are missing a pet due to a stay in hospital. Throughout the UK over 100,000 people benefit from PAT dogs and cats every single week. There are currently around 3,500 active PAT visiting dogs and 90 cats.

I approached the charity with a view to Alfie becoming a PAT dog and thought membership would be straightforward and virtually automatic. However, whilst the charity is happy to enrol dogs of all sizes and most breeds, they do have to be assessed first to make sure they are suitable candidates. The appraisal can either be carried out by one of the charity’s own qualified assessors or by a vet, with checks as to the dog’s general condition and character, its reaction to certain situations and also the control of the owner.

PAT cats and dogs must be vaccinated, although homoeopathically protected dogs can now be considered. They should be clean and treated for worms and fleas. There is an enrolment fee of £19 for a pet owner to join the charity, which is mainly to cover the handler and pet for public liability insurance, together with the necessary administration costs. Two character references are also required.

There is a Pets as Therapy Junior Membership which provides a certificate, badge and copies of the charity’s Junior Newsletter, together with invitations to any local events that are organised in the area.

As I know Alfie to be a kind and gentle dog, I really hope that he will pass the grade and become a fully fledged PAT dog, then we can make visits to old people’s homes, hospitals, schools or events and he can give a little comfort to someone or just brighten up their day like he does mine.

It is known that sick patients who often feel isolated and withdrawn can benefit from the chance to cuddle or stroke a dog or cat. Sometimes it is easier for them to open up or relax in the presence of an animal.

I was put in touch with Lynn McEwan who lives at Lask Edge near Leek Moor on the outskirts of Congleton. She is the charity’s assessor for most of the northern region including Derbyshire and the Peak District area. Lynn runs a cattery and grooming parlour and also breeds and shows Old English Sheepdogs, which have reached Championship level across the country.

Alfie and I set off one rainy evening in August to meet Lynn and to be assessed. We arrived on her doorstep in the midst of a thunderstorm to an extremely warm welcome and a fuss from two of her wonderful digs – Miss Chelsea and Mr Beckham!

Chelsea, her registered name is ‘Champion Allmark Pillow Talk of Kindamagic’, is a true champion having achieved five Challenge Certificates and a lifetime qualification for Crufts. Not only is she a celebrity, having appeared on television and had her photograph in numerous papers and magazines, but she is also a dedicated PAT dog and has made many visits for the charity.

One of her first visits was to an elderly man who had gone blind. He asked Lynn what sort of dog Chelsea was and she asked him if he remembered the Dulux adverts, then let him wrap his arms around Chelsea to feel her wonderful thick fluffy coat. The man was so overcome with happiness that it reduced him to tears and Lynn said it was such a teat-jerking situation that she soon followed suit.

On another occasion Lynn and Chelsea were visiting an old people’s home where most of the residents made a fuss of the dog. However, one cantankerous old lady preferred to stay in her room and told Lynn not to bring the smelly dog near her. However, she must have felt a bit left out by the reaction of the other residents, because when Lynn next visited the old lady asked if she could stroke Chelsea. From then on they became good friends and the woman now looks forward to their visits.

Lynn and Chelsea have been to hospitals, hospices, residential homes and even schools. Leek had a baby boom some years ago and there were nearly 250 children in one year’s intake attending St Edward’s school which were split into six classes. Lynn and Chelsea visited the school for six consecutive weeks to talk to the children who were then aged 10, about owning and caring for a dog, and to explain how the Pets as Therapy charity works. The children took a keen interest in Chelsea, and a few of them then persuaded their parents to attend Crufts to watch her perform as a Show Dog. Some of the schoolchildren have kept in touch following the visit, and send little messages to Lynn and her wonderful dog.

For Alfie’s assessment I had to display to Lynn that he could walk on the lead in a relaxed manner without the use of a harness or check chain. He was on his best behaviour for this and didn’t pull at all, which was quite amazing! Alfie then had to demonstrate control without getting agitated whilst Lynn and I chatted. This was easy for Alfie as he is quite used to me talking to people who we meet when out walking, and he generally takes the opportunity to take a rest.

Lynn gave me a brush and asked me to groom Alfie all over including his chest and tail to show that he would not get excited or aggressive. Apart from the odd wriggle when I brushed his ticklish tummy, he lapped up the opportunity for a fuss. I then had to restrain Alfie by wrapping my arms around him tightly, something that a small child might instinctively do, without him struggling or growling. Lynn then had to do the same thing to show that a stranger would have the same effect upon him, and she then examined him all over including his mouth, ears and eyes, and holding his tail. Alfie did look a bit surprised when he was enveloped in a bear hug, but apart from squirming he didn’t make a fuss.

Lynn had to drop a large object close to Alfie but out of sight and without warning to see if his reaction was to flinch away, bark or investigate the object. We were on Lynn’s drive for this test and as a large stone crashed onto the gravel behind him, both Alfie and I jumped in surprise, but he didn’t try to run off. Finally Lynn gave Alfie a small treat which he took very gently from her fingers.

All in all the assessment went very well, but Lynn was not allowed to say if Alfie had passed or not. All the paperwork, together with application forms, passport photos, medical information etc had to be submitted for approval to the charity and we anxiously for the reply.

I was extremely pleased and proud a few weeks later to announce that Alfie passed his assessment and is a qualified dog for the Pets as Therapy charity. I was also accepted as a suitable visitor and together we are looking forward to being invited to residential homes, hospitals, schools and institutions that might benefit from our visit.

For our first assignment we were off to St. Elphin’s School at Darley Dale to give a talk to a group of children from years 7 to 9 about the various charities involving dogs, with special regard to Pets as Therapy, as part of their PHSE course work.

This was to be a totally new experience for me – I might be a chatterbox to anyone that knows me, and I have written numerous lengthy articles over the years, but I have never had to face an audience or talk publicly before. Could I really entertain a group of young teenagers? I needn’t have worried though as it went brilliantly, with most of the praise due to the polite and enthusiastic pupils and the star attraction – Alfie!

As I approached the main entrance to the school I felt a certain amount of apprehension – had I remembered to pack my pencil case and were my shoes polished? Alfie was excited and knew something special was about to happen because he had been bathed, had his teeth brushed and was wearing his new official jacket and a special collar that we had bought from Uncle Ray at Bakewell Pet Shop. Dangling from this was his identity disc from the Pets as Therapy charity. He looked all fluffed up and squeaky clean, and with a bit of luck would be on his best behaviour.

We were warmly greeted by Dr Deborah Mouat, who is the school principal, together with Georgina Jones the Art and PHSE teacher with whom I had arranged the visit. They told me that the pupils were all excited about Alfie and I coming to see them, and as I glanced around, I saw a row of happy faces smiling down at us from the huge oak staircase that is one of the many impressive features of this wonderful old building.

St Elphin’s School was founded in 1844, but only moved to this site 100 years ago. The main building had previously been a grand hydro, and retains much of the original fabric and features. Over the years extensions have been added with modern facilities and amenities to provide the pupils with up-to-date teaching aids and accommodation The school boasts however of its traditional values, which together with modern education methods provide a stimulating and happy environment for the pupils. I certainly experienced this at close hand, and only wished my now grown-up children could have been educated here. St Elphin’s provides continuous and integrated education for boys and girls aged from 2-18, with flexi-boarding for juniors and seniors.

I was guided up the grand staircase to a lecture room on the first floor, and as I ascended the hallowed steps which are normally reserved for staff, sixth form pupils and important visitors, my thoughts were drawn to the countless children who were either inspired or whose careers and lives benefited from a St. Elphins’ education. Richmal Compton is one of the most famous ex-pupils. She wrote the Just William books that I loved to read as a child. It is rather appropriate therefore that my visit today should be recorded in an article entitled Alfie’s Adventures!

I then faced the audience of pretty young girls and well groomed boys, dressed in lovely uniforms and explained that this was a new experience to both myself and Alfie, and I was not sure wheat his reactions would be or how he would cope with the situation. I suggested that he wander around to meet everyone initially and that if he got excited or nervous, I would put him back on the lead and make him sit by my side. How could I possibly have underestimated my little canine buddy? He went along the row of seated pupils being fussed and cuddles, then had a nosey and sniff around the room before promptly lying down in front of the children, stretched out and relaxed, listening to me singing his praises with the odd ear lifting up if it sounded interesting!

I told the pupils all about the Pets as Therapy charity and all the adventures that Alfie and I have undertaken, with little snippets that didn’t or couldn’t get into my articles, and I am happy to say that they seemed to enjoy it – I certainly did!

Having written about the Search and Rescue Dog Association, High Peak Dog Kennels, Police Dogs, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, Working Sheepdogs, Canine Partners and Explosives Dogs, there was much to talk about, and the hour was almost up.

We then had a few minutes set aside for questions, and I also asked the girls to write down individually a few comments on my visit. ‘Cute’ seems to be the most popular word used to describe Alfie, with a girl called Charlie going as far as to say that he is the cutest dog ever! Chloe was amazed how many of the dogs I spoke about had changed peoples lives to make them happier. Lucy found it interesting how dogs can help people, whilst Danielle said she hadn’t known much about police dogs, but does now! I really liked what Heather wrote though, that it was a really cool talk and that she hoped Alfie and I have more excellent adventures! Beth considered that Alfie and I had lots of fun, which is very true, and with a lovely compliment from the teacher to reward us for our visit, I felt as though we had achieved a gold star!

Before leaving, I was told that the School’s Domestic Staff have recently raised some money for charity and were looking for a worthy cause. After hearing about Pets as Therapy, they have decided to make this their chosen charity – Alfie and I will really be in the good books now!

Alfie and I may well be asked back to talk to other groups of children, and with further adventures planned for us in the next few weeks, I will have even more to tell them.

For further details on the Pets and Therapy charity either visit their website www.petsastherapy.org or telephone 08702 401239. Alternatively, you can write to Pets as Therapy, 3 Grange Farm Cottages, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9NS.

Sally Mosley

This article was written by Sally Mosley as part of a series of articles about dogs involved in charities or working dogs in the Peak District. Sally is available for public speaking, one of the talks being about her experiences whilst researching and writing these articles. For further information please visitwww.sallymosley.co.ukor emailmail@sallymosley.co.uk