For decades, healthcare professionals have recognised the wonderful benefits that companionship from animals can offer people.

Whether it’s patients who are dealing with mental or physical health issues, lonely or isolated people, or children with learning difficulties, the unconditional love of an animal has huge potential to reduce stress and put a smile on everyone’s face.

Sometimes, the physical contact of an animal will even reduce physical pain.

How Therapy Pets and their owners help in your community

Our generous volunteers and their fluffy friends donate their time in rest homes, private and public hospitals, rehabilitation units and assisted living homes.

We also offer a Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) programme based in schools. The close contact with our cute companions can reduce anxiety for school children who are afraid of reading aloud, so they are relaxed and get more involved in learning.

Partnering to bring more joy with Summerset

Summerset Retirement Villages are the official sponsor of Therapy Pets. Thanks to this partnership, more furry friends and volunteers can provide the uplifting benefits and make a positive difference to New Zealanders in need of the joy our Therapy Pets bring. It also helps cover set up, dog assessment and uniform costs.

Summerset’s support helps our programme grow and flourish enabling us to reach more people including getting to know the residents at Summerset Retirement Villages.

We’d love you and your pet to volunteer

If you have a pet with a gentle nature and would like to share that love with others in your community, please email us. 

Find out more about volunteering for the Therapy Pets programme

Please note that we expect volunteers to commit to one visit per week in their region.