Queen Elizabeth Park Nominates Pet Dog For PAT of the Year

Queen Elizabeth Park care home in Guildford, has nominated its pet therapy dog for a national competition.

George, a beautiful greyhound rescue dog, is Queen Elizabeth Park’s PAT (pets as therapy) dog and visits the residents and staff at the care home once a week with his handler Pamela Hemelryk. George has been coming to the home for four years and has become one of the family. He is a very patient, relaxed dog and always brings great pleasure to everyone.

Queen Elizabeth Park has nominated George for the national Pets As Therapy Dog of the Year 2013 / 2014. The six finalists will be announced in November 2013 and the winner will be chosen at Crufts in March 2014.

PAT dogs have a very positive impact on residents; the opportunity to pet and stroke a friendly and familiar animal on a regular basis brings them great enjoyment, as well as offering sensory stimulation. Having a PAT dog is especially valuable to the dementia residents as he encourages them to speak and interact. Carebase has PAT dogs in many of its homes and values the contribution they bring.

June Maharaj, Queen Elizabeth Park Care Home Manager, says: “The residents, their friends and family members, and all the staff at the home adore George and look forward to his weekly visits. We have seen some really positive results from having him around and didn’t hesitate in nominating him for the PAT of The Year. He has a wonderful temperament and we are all rooting for him to get through to the finals of the competition and make it to Crufts next year.”