Wag & Company
In 2018, we partnered with Wag & Company to enable professionally assessed volunteers and their dogs to visit older dog lovers in their own homes, in care homes across the region, or on hospital wards.
The amazing service refers people in the community, over the age of 65, who miss the friendship and company of a dog. The program, Doggies on prescription, improves the health and wellbeing of older people by offering opportunities for social interaction with volunteers and their furry friends.
Since then, Wag & Company’s service has expanded to benefit staff wellbeing – volunteers Nigel Gray and his American cockapoo Whitley often visit our Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, greeting more than 100 staff in total throughout their special visit, putting a smile on the faces of our staff.
Rachael Heeley, A&E matron at the hospital, said:
“I want to say a huge thanks to Nigel and Whitley for taking the time to come and see us. It was a wonderful experience, and our staff were still talking about it for days afterwards.
“We have received some fantastic feedback and the team have all been raving about Wag & Company and how thankful they are for the emotional support, at such a difficult time.”
All of the dogs like Whitley are assessed by highly qualified volunteer assessors to ensure their suitability and safety.
Nigel said:
“I feel so privileged to be able to meet with our NHS staff who are providing life-saving care under significant pressures.
“Some of the nurses were coming off their nightshift, in tears, because they had had such a difficult shift, but they were all so thrilled to see Whitley and were leaving with smiles on their faces. It was so rewarding to know we were making that small difference.”
