Volunteer dogs needed

Tuesday 28 May 2019

With the early success seen by the one-to-one therapy dog charity, Wellbeing Animals Guernsey, the humans behind the scheme are looking for more four-legged counsellors to help them out.

WAG, which was founded last year already has 22 volunteers but it needs to recruit even more as demand has steadily increased for its services.

The charity has seen more and more people and establishments applying for placements so the search is on to find more budding owners and their gentle pets who can take on some of the appointments.

To help with the recruitment drive, the charity is holding two special training workshops in the coming months. WAG chairman Marguerite Talmage said the sessions would give those interested in volunteering an opportunity to see what is required of a therapy dog.

"All our WAG volunteer dogs undergo an assessment to make sure their temperament and behaviour is suitable for carrying out therapy visits to people in many different situations," she said. 

"In holding these training sessions we aim to give dog owners who are interested in joining the WAG team the opportunity to bring their dogs to meet us before they embark on that process.

"The workshops will be informal training sessions with our qualified trainers and owners can find out what is involved in carrying out therapy visits."

Committee members Jenny Mahy and Anna Brehaut, who are both qualified dog trainers, will be taking the workshops on 5 June and in October, and will be on hand if anyone has any questions or would like any advice.

"In order for you to become a volunteer, your dog must have a gentle temperament and enjoy being made a fuss of," said Miss Brehaut.

"But it is also very important that they have some basic training skills and are relaxed and that is why we are holding these sessions. We are also aware of the commitment that our volunteers make and so we want volunteers to feel confident and relaxed when heading towards the assessment stage."

Visits usually take place weekly but the frequency depends on how much time a volunteer has available. Generally they last no more than 30 minutes.

The first of the workshops is being held at the St Peter’s Douzaine Room on Wednesday 5 June at 18:00 with a further session in October on a date to be confirmed.

It will cost £10 per volunteer and spaces are limited. To register or for more information email woof@wag.org.gg or call 07911 719081.