Search on for canine friend

Staff at a residential care home for children are looking for a dog to make regular visits.

Caudwell House, Upton Road, Southwell, wants a volunteer to take their dog to the home a few times a month to interact with the children who have physical and mental disabilities,

A residential social care worker at the home, Mrs Nicky Wells, said the children really benefited from playing with animals.

She said: “We did have a woman who brought her dog to visit the children but she lived too far away to travel here regularly so she stopped coming.

“The children loved it because he was a super dog. The dog came in and the children could pat it and walk it round the grounds. It is very therapeutic for them.”

Mrs Wells said the Pets As Therapy charity operated a scheme for pet owners to register their cats or dogs so they could take part in visits.

There are no volunteers registered in the Southwell area.

“We are looking for a nice calm dog with an owner who is willing to bring it in as often as they can, even if it is just for an hour or two once every two or three weeks,” said Mrs Wells.

To be registered with Pets As Therapy dogs must pass a temperament test conducted by a vet.

It must like being stroked and handled by strangers, take a food treat gently and not over react to sudden noises or disturbances.

The dog should be more than nine months old and have been with its owner for at least six months.

“We wouldn’t want a dog that would jump up because it might hurt the children and they would have to be able to cope with noises and wheelchairs,” said Mrs Wells.

“Ideally we would like to find a dog that could go to Minster View the residential home for autistic children next door to Caudwell House as well.

“They’re a lot more active and would love to throw a ball for the dog or take it for walks.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for the scheme can contact Mrs Wells on 07985 218481