Hi. I would like to start a petting dog business taking my very gentle tempered puppy to bring some love to people in care homes. I feel by spending a little time with a dog will bring lots of love and stimulation to the elderly with Dementia. I have realised this when I was allowed to visit my lovely mother after lockdown and I took Teddy my chihuahua puppy to meet her. Does anybody know how I can offer this and how to start? I would really appreciate some advice. Thank you
Hi Emma It is a wonderful idea to have a pet or a friendly dog visit the residents You will have to make sure that your dog has all his shots You may want to register your dog as a pet therapy dog Know that there are some groups that offer this service for free I don’t know if you can get a grant or not but you might want to look into that I don’t know how much money you want to make doing this or this is just a sideline business?? Here is some information about starting pet visiting program in a facility https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-setup-a-pet-visiting-program/6081/ Good luck to you
Hi Emma, We used to have regular visits to the Hospice from Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs. They were pre-approved, trained and insured etc. Maybe something to look into or ask for advice. I know it's a little more involved, but I think both you and the dog need to be trained in infection control, behaviour, safe guarding etc. Also a DBS and insurance will be required in the UK. hope this helps.
I love this website. I can refer back to it in a pinch when looking for a quick project or activity for the community members I work with. There are plenty of tips, as well as instructions for the activities which are so helpful.
It is a wonderful idea to have a pet or a friendly dog visit the residents
You will have to make sure that your dog has all his shots
You may want to register your dog as a pet therapy dog
Know that there are some groups that offer this service for free
I don’t know if you can get a grant or not but you might want to look into that
I don’t know how much money you want to make doing this or this is just a sideline business??
Here is some information about starting pet visiting program in a facility
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-setup-a-pet-visiting-program/6081/
Good luck to you
We used to have regular visits to the Hospice from Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs. They were pre-approved, trained and insured etc. Maybe something to look into or ask for advice.
I know it's a little more involved, but I think both you and the dog need to be trained in infection control, behaviour, safe guarding etc. Also a DBS and insurance will be required in the UK.
hope this helps.
Thank you for your input
I am sure it will be most helpful