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Poultry and Pets => Pets without Feathers => Topic started by: janet12000 on November 26, 2009, 18:12

Title: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on November 26, 2009, 18:12
Hello all
It was suggested to me today that Bea may be suitable as a pets as therapy (PAT) dog.
Does anyone on here have pets that are registered with them?
On the PAT website it says that you have to pay £19 a year to register, which I don't mind doing if she can make peoples day a bit brighter.  :)
Any advice/experiences?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on November 26, 2009, 21:03
No one?
Guess I will have to be the first then! :lol:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Aunt Sally on November 26, 2009, 21:07
If you go for it we will, of course, expect regular updates  :D

It sounds like a very worthwhile thing to do. 
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Rubellite on November 26, 2009, 21:10
It is a worthwhile thing to do  :lol:
I'd like to say that I've had experience but my dogs are all crazy  :wacko: so wouldn't be at all suitable.  :(
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on November 26, 2009, 21:31
Have sent for the application form.
Bea will need to be assessed for her suitability.
If she passes then I have got to get her a passport sized photo for her ID badge  :D :D
Can you imagine trying to get a greyhound into a photo booth!!!!! ??
Oh well..worth a try I guess.
She is such a laid back doggie and loves fuss so I think she will fit the bill.
Will keep you all posted
x
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: wighty on November 26, 2009, 23:15
When I worked in a Nursing home  Paul would sometimes walk up to meet me with our dog Rocky ( a Boxer).  The old people loved him and would have a competition as to who could feed him a biscuit. He didn't like Rich Tea but liked a Digestive and Ruby always scored one over Ivy on that.  Marion I worked with had sheep and she bought a lamb in which went down well.   Go for it, it is well appreciated by those who are seperated from pets (I was going to say incarcerated,  but thought better of it)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Foxy on November 26, 2009, 23:37
Petting dogs in hospital make a real difference, so I would go for it! :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: joyfull on November 27, 2009, 15:29
Bea is so placid she would be great for it, so yes do go for it Janet  :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: gizooty on December 01, 2009, 16:58
hey.... i have 7 dogs...
my rotty and one of my afghans are PAT dogs..
and im getting my two chinese cresteds and other afghan to be ones aswell.
its a fab thing. and even the animals enjoy it.. even a cat can be one..
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: too many girls on December 01, 2009, 17:00
what about a chicken? :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 01, 2009, 18:08
still waiting for the application form.  :(
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Rubellite on December 01, 2009, 18:13
Do you have to be vetted by the HSE before you can take your doggy to see people?  :wacko:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 01, 2009, 18:29
I think they just need to make sure doggy is not gonna try and eat anyones false teeth, or run off with their walking stick.  :lol:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Parsnip on December 01, 2009, 18:42
I think they just need to make sure doggy is not gonna try and eat anyones false teeth, or run off with their walking stick.  :lol:

No point my applying to take Poo then...  ??? :blush:


Brilliant idea Janet... 8)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: gizooty on December 01, 2009, 19:43
no u need to be veeted well the dog does, by a vet or a volenterr of the PAT ppls..
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 01, 2009, 21:19
I have passed a crb check? :)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: raeburg on December 01, 2009, 22:16
when my daughter was in hospitall once we were visited by a Newfoundland PAT dog.  Cheered us both up no end  :happy:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: dizzylizzie on December 01, 2009, 22:50
Hi Janet, i dont know if this link is any use to you, they may be able to point you in the right direction if its not! They have some good info on there about the process of getting your dog registered as a pat dog. It looks fab Janet, im sure you will both get loads out of it and so will the people you visit. Good look with it  xx
http://www.petsastherapy.org/
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 01, 2009, 23:21
"Cats"

Am I allowed to mention them here as it's all about dogs?  :unsure:

Well.... here goes (if you'll forgive me?).....

We lost the last of our two cats in the summer - had them for 14 years (sisters).
My OH wants a kitten (or two!!) so I thought, having resisted the idea for a while, I'd have a look to see if I could find a couple of straight forward moggie kittens (tabby or the like).

Our last two were such a comfort after a heavy day - always there and dependable - great to relax with as they curled up nearby...

So far I've not been able to find anyone locally who has kittens for sale (other than a couple of "posh jobs" that we are not so keen on - to say nothing of the price!).

What I'd like to know is ....(being ignorant of these matters)... do cats produce kittens in winter? Might there be more about in spring?

Any advice would be welcome, please, if you can help.
Thanks.

PS Your idea sounds brilliant Janet!
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: dizzylizzie on December 01, 2009, 23:30
Speak to Caralou, she knows of lots of Kittens needing loving families :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Caralou on December 01, 2009, 23:51
If you want moggie kits contact a local rehoming charity as there are thousands without homes and even more in the current climate as people are dumping more and more at shelters  :( Our local branch has more requests than we can cope with to take cats and kittnes in and sadly some people arent kind enough to wait and dump or worse their pets  :mad:

Cats Protection and RSPCA will want to carry out a home check - all that means is if they go outside that you're not on a main road or area that is a danger to them. Local smaller charities dont have the manpower to homecheck and you will usually go along on a saturday afternoon and view all their pens and pick a kitkat or two to take home with you. Donations vary but you can expect from £20-£50 or more if you can afford it. You also know they will have been vet checked and with cpl or rspca they will have had first vaccinations and be chipped if kittens before rehoming and if 5 months or older will have had their op.

Female cats more commonly come on heat in spring and May-August are the biggest kitten times, but cats do have kittens all year round so there will be kittens at local charities looking for homes. If you really want a kitten and not a cat consider upto 4 months old as they are still very kitteney until then - although my 5 year old is the biggest of all so as with anything depends on personality!

Check out www.cats.org.uk for local cpl branch and I'm sure one of my counterparts will be happy to help you meet your new little terrors  :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 02, 2009, 00:09
Sounds brilliant - thanks for advice!  :)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 02, 2009, 18:16
no u need to be veeted well the dog does, by a vet or a volenterr of the PAT ppls..

I have had the form through today gizooty.
I am going to have a wade through it later.

Lizzie......thats the folk on your link I contacted.

Have had a quick look at the checks they do (on the dog) and think Bea would pass all of them. One is that the dog needs to be clean and groomed (obvious really).
I can just imagine Bea running off to roll in a load of mud before I take her to be assessed.  :lol:

gizooty..... how often do you get called upon? what kind of places do you visit?
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: dizzylizzie on December 02, 2009, 20:21
ww, im excited for you- good luck ;) x
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Flowerpower136 on December 04, 2009, 09:53
I'm currently going through the process of moving Mum into residential care, and the place I've picked for her has a visiting PAT dog.

It was one of the reasons I chose that particular home.  It's an incredibly worthwhile thing to do.  It's a win win situation all round from what I can see.

The dog will love it, and so will you, and such pleasure for the resdidents.  I know with my Mum it will become a treat to look forward to.

Let us know how you get on.

Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 04, 2009, 19:21
Bea has been booked in for her assessment at at 10 am on the 12th Dec.
I hope to God she passes. :)
No chewing Zimmer frames Bea!
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: chickenlady on December 04, 2009, 19:29
Awww! bless her! go Bea! you will be fab  :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 04, 2009, 20:11
"Cats" again...

Just thought I'd let you know, thanks to Carlou's advice, we have a visitor arriving tomorrow to carry out an assessment to see if we, and the house, are fit for a  kitten..

Our local cat rescue centre has been in contact to say they will arrive tomorrow morning to vet us....

Sounds a little like the system for applying to adopt children (well, a bit)... so we will be on our best (usual) behaviour and keep our fingers crossed..  :happy:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: dizzylizzie on December 05, 2009, 10:49
"Cats" again...

Just thought I'd let you know, thanks to Carlou's advice, we have a visitor arriving tomorrow to carry out an assessment to see if we, and the house, are fit for a  kitten..

Our local cat rescue centre has been in contact to say they will arrive tomorrow morning to vet us....

Sounds a little like the system for applying to adopt children (well, a bit)... so we will be on our best (usual) behaviour and keep our fingers crossed..  :happy:


take it from a very tired and frustrated me....its nothing like system for adopting kiddies :ohmy:

Janet that is fab news, i'll keep everything crossed  :lol: x
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Parsnip on December 05, 2009, 12:25
"Cats" again...

Just thought I'd let you know, thanks to Carlou's advice, we have a visitor arriving tomorrow to carry out an assessment to see if we, and the house, are fit for a  kitten..

Our local cat rescue centre has been in contact to say they will arrive tomorrow morning to vet us....

Sounds a little like the system for applying to adopt children (well, a bit)... so we will be on our best (usual) behaviour and keep our fingers crossed..  :happy:


Ooh lovely - don't forget we want lots of pics when you get the kitten (s)   ;)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 05, 2009, 12:30
Good on you Learner!

I'm sure you will be fine with the check. x
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 05, 2009, 15:06
Good on you Learner!

I'm sure you will be fine with the check. x

We passed!!  :)  :)

It was a little like an inspection (well, we felt that way) but we were pleased to have someone spend the time with us & it showed they cared.

A brilliant set-up... we have a list of things that need to be agreed to before we arrive to "look" including prepayment for "the snip" (for the kitten/s  :ohmy:)  to make sure there are no additionally little moggies needing re-homing. It all sounds a very professional, well considered and thorough organisation.

Next (now we've got our "Ok to proceed docs") we must phone to arrange an appointment to visit. My OH was wanting to pick the phone up the minute the front-door closed and our visitor left!  ::) But, late afternoon calls only.....so she has gone shopping.... no doubt to return with cat basket/s and scratch-posts and.... I dread to imagine what. Fortunately (???) my son has gone with her (and I have the cheque book!)  ;)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: dizzylizzie on December 05, 2009, 15:52
Congratulations! dont forget the piccies when they new little one arrives :D
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 05, 2009, 16:08
The camera batteries are charging as I type  :)

Only problem is.... the quick shopping trip is lasting longer than I had expected....

Just how many pet shops are there around here selling essential items for new kittens?  ???
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 05, 2009, 17:08
Well done Learner!

They have to do the checks to make sure the kitten(s) are going to a good home I guess? :)

I had a house check before Bea arrived, and although I was paranoid that my house would be too small/too messy/in the wrong area etc we passed.

There are lots of essential items for kittens!
They need at least 20 toys (which they will ignore, favouring the curtains)
A scratch post (which they will ignore, favouring the curtains)
A bed. (which is far less comfy than your bed, and will only be slept in when you are washing the bed covers)
A litter box (which hopefully will be used)

The main thing is lots of love and tlc though.  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 05, 2009, 17:28
Having been catless since the beginning of summer I was considering the need for a new carpet here and there (as my OH said I should "consider it") and "perhaps a new 3 piece suite" ......now that our children no longer fling themselves into it like tons of bricks falling (they choose not to spend so much time in our living-room now) and... the cats (it was actually only 1 of the 2) no longer "strokes" the covers to shreds.

The cats had managed to change the shape of the carpets (mostly behind the sofa and the bottom of the first set of stairs). The newel post had been encased in hardboard a few years back to distract 'you know who's" attention from using it as a scratching post...

So a new kitten (it may well end up as two) will be a good reason not to have new carpets (and keep the furniture in the same place so I can't be reminded of the hole!). No need to have new armchairs and sofa.... after all my OH has been training as an upholsterer for the last 3 years so we'll settle for an old one poshly re-done...well I would, anyway.

And I will relax with the kittens my pulse slowly calming [(thinking to myself how very much we will have saved on new furniture and carpets!!) (Don't let OH know why we are having some wonderful little kittens around the place again!!)]  ;)  I am joking... really ;)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Caralou on December 05, 2009, 20:48
Only just caught up but that's great Learner, I'm so glad you went down the rehoming route  :D Lots of photos when they arrive will be needed!
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 06, 2009, 00:04
Booked our appointment this afternoon for a visit tomorrow so hoping to be back home with a new kitty.. or maybe two if they are very young.  :)


Update: Arrived home this afternoon with two kittens - so many to choose from!

They settled quickly; enjoyed a first meal and used the litter tray. Presently they are 'helping' dress the Christmas tree - what a great time for my OH and the family to choose!

If only they would stay still long enough I could post a picture  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Yorkie on December 08, 2009, 19:01
Great news Learner, and looking forward to the piccies
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 08, 2009, 19:03
Excellent! Don't expect that Christmas tree to last long!  :lol:
We need pictures!!!!
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 08, 2009, 21:17
The kittens are beauts.... one slightly older and bigger than the other, one male one female - both rehomed after an owner relationship split apparently.

First few minutes of arriving home both found the litter tray and used it (nicely) - they then spent the next four hours tearing around non-stop, in, under, on and through most of the ground floor of the house (mostly open plan). They eat like there's no tomorrow!!

I guess having to spend a couple of weeks in a smallish pen was partly why they had so much energy. Since then they have raced at a respectable pace and clambered up on the sofa and chairs next to us for a nap. Both appear to understand the word "No" and back off / down quite quickly but they certainly are very use to having people around them.

Christmas tree has been re-decorated a few hundred times but only up to a couple feet above ground level (or as far as the kittens can reach with a slight spring).  ;)

Tomorrow they are off for their next "jabs".

Photos? By the time they are tired enough to sit still I am too tired to stand up again. I have several photos of the space they were in when I pushed the "shutter" release!

PS Pictures at the week-end.
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 08, 2009, 22:01
Oh bless!
Can't wait to see pics.  :)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 09, 2009, 00:09
Oh bless!
Can't wait to see pics.  :)

Aren't cats hard to photograph when they are awake!

Just the one picture almost presentable... ::)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Caralou on December 09, 2009, 00:38
Ah bless, how long did they run in circles attacking their own collars for?  ??? :D They are real cuties!
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 09, 2009, 01:27
Ah bless, how long did they run in circles attacking their own collars for?  ??? :D They are real cuties!

Collars were insisted upon by the Cat Rescue Centre - just in case he kittens vanished before they had settled at home.... not that they will be going out for a fair few weeks.

Much to our surprise they have accepted them without any fuss at all.

We were shown two of the prettiest related kittens at the centre - one slightly longer haired - both white with a small dappling of black and ginger. They were so high on the list of "take homes"... we were then told by someone else the area in which they were housed had evidence of cat flu so we left..(although all the cats in that smaller room had been vaccinated). I might have been tempted to say "keep them for us" - we'll be back when the all clear is given...But next we were shown the two that we took home. A little older and so very ready to accept picking up and handling - very playful and alert despite being in a pen in the owner's living room (rather than out in the "barn" or a side building).

I think we made a wise choice as they were housed away from the others and have settled so well. Nice to come home to after a day and a half at work!  :)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Rubellite on December 09, 2009, 10:12
Will they grow in to their name tags?   ::)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Caralou on December 09, 2009, 14:25
I'm amazed the rehoming centre insisted on collars as most insist against them! Mine all have reflective collars and tags and are microchipped (apart from the ferals who I cant handle to put a collar on  ::) ) and all the others in my CPL branch are tut-tut'ing about the collars, personally I would rather a collar reflects in car headlights if they go out at night thank you very much and if they go missing they can relocate through the tags and not just the chip. Almost all rehomers I have met are anti-collar so have to say I'm liking the ones you got yours from for their common sense (they argue that the cat can get stuck by the collar on trees etc, but I find as long as two fingers can fit under the collar the cat can wriggle out of it easily in an emergency) :D


With the kits with cat flu, it can be very nasty and involves a lot of vet visits when poorly. I've fostered 4 cats with cat flu and all have had very different signs of it. My Niblet is a catflu carrier and is blind in one eye as a result of all the infections she came in with, she is now a healthy little puss other than the eye, but she cant mix with foster cats unless they have had their jabs. However, other cats dont recover so well and ones such as Bronwyn who my friend ended up keeping from fostering has bouts throughout cold weather and is in the vets regularly even though she showed no symptoms to begin with other than a few sneezes and sniffs. So, I would say that even if the other kits appeared healthy you just dont know how they will progress sadly and it can suddenly flare up with no warning if they are carriers  :( We have been lucky with our recent cat flu carriers that two have been kept by us and the other two went to homes where there was already a cat with cat flu so the owners knew what to expect and there was no risk of contamination of other non-vaccinated cats.

I'm looking forward to getting lots more pictures of your little terrors at the weekend.

Oh, and sorry Janet for running off with your thread  :lol:
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 09, 2009, 17:59
Lol. No worries Cara!
Kitties look lovely Learner!
xxx
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: Paul Plots on December 09, 2009, 19:36
My apologies too Janet!! Sorry......

Thanks, Caralou... I wondered about the collars - had thoughts of stuck up dangling from them but I'm fairly sure they'd slide off - lost kit and no tag  = :(  :( so was happy to do as told / agreed.

So far they appear happy indoors (just as well) demolishing the C' tree (a little) and taking over the best seats (a lot) in the living-room (I'd forgotten we have to fit in around the cats... but it is all coming back to me slowly  ;))


Today - visit to our local vet for next cat flu jab and lukemia jab (first of 2).
Micro-chip comes later - we'd like them done.

The purring is deafening!!   :)  :)  :)
Title: Re: Pets as therapy
Post by: janet12000 on December 09, 2009, 20:35
Purring is good!  :)