Visiting Wag Team - "Befriending an Older Person With Your Dog"

Do you and your friendly dog love bringing smiles to people’s faces? With just an hour or two most weeks, you and your special pet could make a huge difference to the lives of older dog lovers in your community!

Wag & Company is the only visiting dog charity in the North East of England that befriends elderly people in their own homes, as well as in care settings and hospitals. Many of their elderly friends are bereaved, isolated, and deeply miss the companionship of a dog. A friendly visit, a chat, and a furry cuddle can bring so much joy to someone in need.

What skills do I need?

What they’re looking for:

A friendly, well-behaved dog at least 18 months old who enjoys being handled

A loving owner who has had their dog for at least six months and, 

...who is happy to follow our veterinary guidelines requiring some vaccination and prohibiting raw feeding to comply with national NHS standards for visiting dogs.  Full details:  www.wagandcompany.co.uk/volunteer/veterinary-guidance-for-friendship-dogs

..an hour or two most weeks or fortnights

Most Wag Friendship Dogs simply love a cuddle and are under control, they aren’t obedience champions! If you think your dog would enjoy volunteering, check out the suitability and assessment criteria.  www.wagandcompany.co.uk/volunteer

What Wag and Company provides:

Support to find the right placement for you and 24/7 thereafter

Enhanced DBS checks and temperament assessments for the dogs

Insurance for all Wag visiting activities

Polo shirts and ID for volunteers & bandanas for dogs

About Wag and Company

Wag & Company is the only visiting dog charity befriending older people in their own homes as well as in care or medical establishments across the North East. Our aim is to end loneliness for older dog lovers. We are constantly looking for new dog owners and their cuddly pets to join us and with just a couple of hours most weeks to make a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of elderly dog lovers in our communities.

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

We will help to find placements for volunteers that work around their schedule and other commitments.