Hato Hone St John is pleased to announce a new chapter for its Therapy Pets programme, which is transitioning to Canine Friends Pet Therapy.
Last August Hato Hone St John made the difficult decision to conclude the Therapy Pets programme to shift its focus on expanding health education, enabling proactive health monitoring, and improving access to health services, to help ease pressure on the emergency ambulance service.
Following months of discussions with organisations nationwide, Hato Hone St John is delighted Canine friends is offering Therapy Pets volunteers and their dogs the opportunity to continue their work under their guidance.
Hato Hone St John National Manager – Community Education, Jacci Tatnell, says the outcome reflects a shared commitment to community wellbeing and volunteer support. “From the outset, our priority has been ensuring our Therapy Pets volunteers can continue making a meaningful difference in their communities.
“Canine Friends are an experienced and values aligned organisation, and their willingness to welcome our volunteers has been incredibly reassuring. We’re proud of the positive presence our Therapy Pets volunteers have had in rest homes, schools and hospitals across the country, and we’re excited to see that valuable work continues and grow as part of Canine Friends. Knowing our volunteers are in such capable hands means a great deal to us,” says Ms Tatnell.
Canine Friends President, Vicky Graham, says the organisation is excited to welcome new volunteers and their dogs. “When Hato Hone St John approached us about transitioning their Therapy Pets volunteers, we saw a great opportunity to strengthen the impact of therapy pets in our communities.
“Every additional volunteer helps us reach more people and support wellbeing where it’s needed most. We’re delighted to welcome volunteers who share our passion for therapy pet mahi, and we thank Hato Hone St John for the care and thought they’ve put into supporting their volunteers through this transition,” says Ms Graham.
The transition process has commenced for team leaders, and volunteers and their dogs will follow. Throughout this period, volunteers will continue visiting the organisations they support, ensuring continuity of care and connection for the people they serve.
Hato Hone St John remains committed to supporting all Therapy Pets volunteers. For those who have chosen not to transition to Canine Friends, work continues on finding alternative opportunities, including local partnerships or direct transfers, recognising that options may differ by region.
ENDS
About Hato Hone St John:
- Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 percent of people in New Zealand across 97 percent of the country.
- Hato Hone St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid staff and volunteers.
- Along with the emergency ambulance service, Hato Hone St John operates a significant number of community health programmes and other activities which help build community resilience. They include Waka Ora Health Shuttles, ASB Caring Caller, St John Youth, and St John in Schools.
- Hato Hone St John also delivers event health services, medical alarm services, first aid training, and operates retail stores across the country.
About Canine Friends
Canine Friends Pet Therapy is a New Zealand-wide network of people who share their friendly well-behaved dogs with patients in hospitals and residents in rest homes/hospices.
Canine Friends is 100% run by volunteers. 100% of our funding goes to expanding the number of places we can visit.
Health research in New Zealand and overseas shows clearly that many people show great improvement in their health and attitude through interaction with visiting animals. Canine Friends experience and anecdotal evidence shows that the people we visit are often energised and comforted by our visiting dog teams.
Patients, residents, and staff look forward to the visits. Our dogs love being patted, hugged and talked to. Dog owners enjoy seeing patients and residents faces light up as they are transported through the touch of a furry coat.
For further information please contact:
Hato Hone St John media team
PH: 0800 756 334 | E: media@stjohn.org.nz
Other resources: Media Releases | Image Gallery
Canine Friends Acting President Rachel Butler
PH: 021 854 808 | E: President@caninefriends.org.nz
Web: https://www.caninefriends.org.nz/