PAT dogs

Yes but years ago. Nikki specialised in hospital coma visits. She was a world class licker!

I left the scheme (a) because I moved & (b) when the PAT newsletter features PAT dog # whatever that had only been adopted from a pound three months previously.
 
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Annette4 did it with the lovely Jack in the past, not sure if she still does, but would be worth a PM :)

I'm sure there are others too, but I'm only on my second coffee today and not quite awake :o
 
I know someone whose cocker spaniel is a PAT dog :) He passed the assessment at 9 months old which I think is the minimum age. He's 2 now and does most of his work with mencap. He's also been to old people's homes and last Christmas day he went visiting in a hospital. I can ask his owner if there's anything you want to know :)
 
2 of mine used to be PAT dogs for about 5 years one was a small jack russell and the other an australian kelpie cross. They visiited quite a few places over the years. I stopped a couple of years ago.
 
Haven't done it yet but considering doing it with our lab girl she's only 8 months at the moment but you can start to apply from 9 months onwards. As far as I'm aware from what the correspondance from PAT said when I enquired they have to go through an assessment, be able to walk on a lead nicely (not harness) not jump up etc and just be a nice temperament. Will be interested to see what the requirements actually are if we go for it, she's a really lovely dog. There's a yellow lab that goes to my nan's nursing home and I think these animals do an absolutely fantastic job but its a huge commitment :)
 
We did about 3/4 between two sites with a break in between. It depends on how big of a place your visiting. The nursing homes took longer but the hospital ward was only 20 mins as it was so small.

I found Jack was good because he's actually not imposing. He likes people but doesn't ask for a fuss so he was none threatening in a sense. Jack does know the difference between work and home though and acts very differently.
 
I did it with my old collie she was good because she loved people and getting pats but didn't jump up or push. We visited an old folks home but it was very badly organised and I eventually gave up after turning up one day to find I wasn't allowed in!! Given that it took me over an hour to get her ready I didn't feel like continuing after that. She also found the home very warm so I couldn't do much more than 45 mins with her before she started to go a bit flat.
 
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