Volunteers needed for unique scheme in which dogs help people (From Thisisdorset)

Volunteers needed for unique scheme in which dogs help people

2:00pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Latest By Jane Reader

WOOF: Children from St Michael’s School in Bournemouth who took part in the Reading to Dogs scheme. Markus Trott with Biggles, Callum Buchanan with Starr and Klaudia Glebocka with Romeo

VOLUNTEER dog owners are needed to help with a unique charity which uses pets to help people in their everyday lives.

Caring Canines offers a wide range of services where owners and their four-legged friends visit all ages to provide companionship and therapy.

Care homes, hospitals, schools and nurseries are among those who are lucky enough to be visited by volunteers from the local charity.

Now they are hoping to recruit more members and to encourage members of the public to help support their fundraising events.

The charity was set up by dog lovers Sue Dennett and Julie Lankshear in 2006 and currently has 111 volunteers, who visit 96 venues with 131 dogs. They cover an area roughly between Highcliffe and Upton to Ringwood and the Wimborne area.

Their innovative Reading to Dogs programme, where volunteers go into schools, has received worldwide publicity. Reluctant learners or those with problems with literacy or self-confidence across Dorset have improved their reading by reading to the pets rather than their teachers.

Primary and nursery children are taught how to approach dogs safely through the successful Be Dogwise and Charlie’s Storybook initiatives.

And hundreds of elderly people or those with health problems are helped by visits from volunteers.

“The dogs are a therapeutic tool” said Julie. “If someone has had a stroke, we often position the dogs so they have to use their weakest side to interact with them.

“Similarly, in special schools, students are given responsibility for ensuring the dogs have water and anything else they need.”

Anyone who owns a dog can volunteer but must be willing to give up at least one hour per month. All owners are interviewed and dogs are assessed to ensure they have the right temperament.

l The next fundraising event is a charity gala evening featuring top Elvis tribute artist Garry J Foley. For just £25, guests will receive a two-course curry meal, entertainment from “Elvis” and swing and soul acts Willard Ford and Alexis, and a disco. The fun starts at 7pm at The Balfour Suite at AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Court stadium in Kings Park, Bournemouth. Tickets are available by calling 01202 579744 or by emailing caringcanines @btinternet .com