Furry Friends to the Rescue: Therapy Dogs Offer Hope and Support
The Wheatley Care High Riggs Contact Point in Edinburgh, The Wheatley Care Kirkcaldy and Buckhaven Contact Points in Fife welcomed the German Shepherds to the service.
Care services which support mental health and well-being had two special visitors recently – therapy dogs named Diesel and Radar.
The Wheatley Care High Riggs Contact Point in Edinburgh, The Wheatley Care Kirkcaldy and Buckhaven Contact Points in Fife welcomed the German Shepherds to the service.
The Contact Points offer support and help reduce isolation and promote confidence and self-worth.
Radar and Diesel are part of Dugs Paws Dog Adventures and Training, an organisation set up to provide general training as well as offering support to people to reduce stress.
People using the services at Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Buckhaven, can access activities such as music, art, and creative writing. They can also attend drama and karaoke sessions to help manage anxiety.
Louise Dunlop, Managing Director of Care, said: “The people we work for really enjoyed the session with Radar and Diesel. It allowed them to take their minds off any worries and gave them something to talk about.
“They enjoyed the chance to interact with the dogs and it brought a smile to their faces. It was a great activity and one we hope to do it again in the future.”
Wheatley Care, part of Wheatley Group provides care and support to around 3500 people every week across Scotland.
Claire Martin, the co-owner of Dugs Paws Dog Adventures and Training, added: “Diesel has been a therapy dog for eight years and he has such a fantastic calm nature.
“We thought it would be lovely to help people from all walks of life in the community. He has visited hospitals, care homes, universities, colleges and workplaces.
“Radar is nine months old and again has a lovely calm nature and has just started doing therapy visits. If we can help people by bringing the dogs into see them and make one person smile, then they’ve done their job.”