Nora the Therapy Dog: Making a Difference Through TheraPaws
At ADCH, we like to share news from our members, and today, we’re excited to highlight a wonderful initiative from ADCH member Mayhew, based in London. Mayhew runs TheraPaws, an Animal Assisted Intervention programme designed to promote physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.
Their trained volunteers take behaviourally assessed dogs into hospitals, hospices, mental health clinics, eating disorder clinics, SENCO Schools and care homes operating within the M25 to help improve the quality of life for those interacting with the animals. The programme works with people of all ages and in boroughs across London.
In this feature, Mayhew introduce Nora, one of their exceptional therapy dogs.
Meet Nora the Therapy Dog
Nora is a 2 year old Golden Retriever who has been volunteering for just over a year as part of TheraPaws programme. The programme is designed to promote physical, social and emotional wellbeing through animal assisted interventions.
Nora and her owner Tom visit Mildmay Mission Hospital in East London. The hospital helps to provide support for people in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse. Every Wednesday Nora and Tom visit for one hour.
Mildmay’s Substance Misuse Recovery Worker, Theresa, says “Having Nora visit can be a valuable part of our patient’s rehabilitation. She helps patients to socialise and provides comfort from their anxieties”.
Tom has also noticed the impact that visits have on Nora, saying “we feel very welcomed at the home. Nora really pulls on her lead when we get off at the Overground station each Wednesday – she knows exactly where she is going and can’t wait to get there.”
Some of the benefits of therapy dog visits are decreased feelings of isolation, social interaction and companionship through the human animal bond. Young people build confidence and self-esteem and individuals who may suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia remember memories, such as pets they have had in their life.
Nora is one of many of Mayhew’s amazing therapy dogs making an impact in the community. However, since the pandemic Mayhew have seen a sharp increase in health venues reaching out for therapy dogs to visit. There are currently 78 venues waiting for a therapy dog to visit.
Would you like to play a role in improving people’s wellbeing when they need it most?
If you feel you can volunteer like Tom and Nora in the London area and your dog is of the right temperament then Mayhew would like to hear from you.
Please visit their website for further information and fill in their application form online: https://themayhew.org/how-we-help/in-our-communities/therapaws/
