The TheraPaws dogs celebrated the World Mental Health Day (10th October 2017), which raises awareness of mental health issues around the world, by spreading happiness and wellbeing with a friendly visit to staff members at a software company in London.
The TheraPaws dogs are a part of Mayhew’s visiting animal therapy programme, which recognises the mutual benefits of animals engaging with people by helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation.
The initiative also raises awareness of the positive effects dogs can have, including promoting respect and compassion towards animals.
At present, TheraPaws has 50 teams of humans and dogs devoting their time to visiting over 40 different venues, such as care homes, hospices and hospitals, across 11 boroughs in London including Kensington and Chelsea, Brent, and Westminster.
With this initiative, the charity is determined to make a difference and improve the lives of the many people they visit, including on special occasions like World Mental Health Day.
When the TheraPaws volunteers and their dogs, Bill with his dog, Tess, Judith with her dog, Alfie, and Ilonka with her dog, BenJecky, arrived at Workshare in East London, they were quickly welcomed with big smiles and plenty of cuddles.
Marie Ravetta, director of HR, Workshare, said: “At Workshare we recognised the positive effects animals can have on our mental health. We provide a lot of support to staff with mental health issues and therefore wanted to partner with Mayhew and Therapaws to recognise Mental Health Awareness day.
“The Dogs were the perfect addition to our team and it was great to see so many happy faces. We would welcome the Therapaws dogs back anytime and we look forward to working with Mayhew again in the future.”
TheraPaws Project Manager, Luke Berman, said: “Our TheraPaws programme is a great way to raise awareness of World Mental Health day. As well as enhancing people’s lives by helping to reduce social isolation and stress, the initiative also helps animals by raising awareness of the positive effects dogs can have.”
“It was a great day. The volunteers and their dogs really enjoyed getting to know so many different people.”
To find out more about TheraPaws, visit www.themayhew.org or call 020 8962 8004
