Care homes
Support wellbeing in your care home - register for a PAT visit
Pets As Therapy visits are an incredible free service, and more than a simple interaction – they're wonderful moments of magic. If you'd like a PAT Team to visit your care home, please click the ‘Request a visit’ button below to register your interest.
Why should we have a PAT Dog visit our care home?
Residents in care homes may face ill health, loneliness, depression or anxiety. Feeling isolated from loved ones or lacking a sense of purpose, a friendly PAT visit offers more than comfort - it’s a chance to chat, reminisce and reconnect through shared stories and memories of much-loved pets.
Beyond the emotional lift, PAT visits can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that lingers long after the dog leaves to go home. Residents really look forward to these visits.
Studies show that interacting with a PAT Pet can boost mental health and overall wellbeing. It can also strengthen bonds with carers and family, and for those living with dementia, it often brings moments of energy and joy. At the heart of it all is a simple truth: pets make us feel happier.
How to register for a PAT visit
Would you like a special visitor to brighten the day for residents in your care home? It’s easy, just complete our online registration form and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Before registering with Pets As Therapy, please carry out a risk assessment for the role of a visiting PAT Volunteer. While our volunteers are always accompanied during visits, if your role requires a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, it is your responsibility to arrange this at no cost to our volunteers. Please note that PAT does not process DBS checks.
Donate today and help us spread a little joy
Your support will help us to recruit more volunteers and their wonderful pets; calm, friendly dogs and cats who bring comfort, companionship and smiles to residents in care homes.
Every visit is a moment of connection, a spark of joy and a gentle reminder that growing older doesn’t mean growing lonely.
Together, we can make every day a little brighter – one paw at a time.
