What’s special about us? ​

 
When you are ill, in a dark place and feel lonely often it’s easy to just hide away, from people and the world. A pet, and in particular a dog, won’t let you give-up that easily. They are motivating little things and loving creatures too, who need you to take care of them.
Plenty of people are passionate about how a dog or pet saved their life. People with depression, suffering from grief or those needing to get healthy, will tell you how a pet changed for their life. That they can’t imagine a world without them.
Now, imagine you can’t afford an animal (they aren’t cheap), you’ve never had one or you live in a care home where they don’t allow live-in pets. 
Pets and Pals is about giving you the chance to experience the magic of animals – that unconditional love and devotion  - whoever you are.
The people, who come on our walks, get the chance to chat and play with other people’s dogs. They are a talking point. Often any awkwardness quickly disappears as people make a fuss of the dogs and the dogs make a fuss of them.
And it’s not just about pets. Our pals are important too. Watching elderly people in care homes and children with disabilities light-up as they talk, laugh and bond over pets with our volunteers is incredible.
Our Community Dog Shows help us celebrate our love of all things dogs (and pets), while bringing everyone together.     
We believe that an animal can be as good as any other complimentary therapy and that more people and organisations need to know about it.
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s an article from The Psychologist magazine talking about different research into the healing power of pets.