Volunteer profile: the Twiby Family

After teaching for 42 years, having spare time on my hands was not something I was used to. I even joined Facebook to fill in some time, and this was how I first learned about Wag in 2018.

My husband, Dave, also retired, was keen to sign up too, and so we both joined Wag with our grand-dog, Harvey.

Harvey was a beautifully natured golden retriever who got so excited when we got his bandana out.

We visited Four Season’s Nursing Home in Saltburn, and a wonderful lady called Freda, in her own home, also in Saltburn.

The smiles of sheer joy when Harvey walked into the lounges are something we’ll never forget.  He had pride of place on Freda’s sofa when he wasn’t snuggling up to her for his carrots! Freda made him speak before she would give him each piece.

Later, we had our rescue dog, Oakley, assessed, and together, Oakley and Harvey brought joy to the dog lovers in the home.

We were then asked to visit Parkville Nursing home in Middlesbrough, and very quickly became part of their team too.  Then came the pandemic, and all visits ceased.

During this time, we sadly lost both the dogs, one to cancer and one because of old age.

Now we have two wonderful rescue dogs to carry on the good work.

They visit a lady with Alzheimer’s in her own home in Great Ayton, which has quickly become their second home. When the bandanas appear, they race round in circles, knowing exactly where they’re going. It really is a win win, they get just as much out of the visits as our friends do.

Jean loves dogs, but sadly, cannot have one for her own.  Poppy and Basil soon converted Jean’s husband into a number one dog fan, too. We were able to support Jean’s husband through his journey with cancer through a special friendship initiated by the dog. Getting a call that Ian had been taken to the hospital meant the bandana was out, and moments later, Poppy was marching through the side door of the ward to give her love and support to Ian. We felt honoured to support both of our new friends. Ian certainly was overjoyed with the warmth and love the dogs brought.   Ian’s daughter said to him whilst he was in the hospice, “Guess who’s coming to see you tomorrow (meaning his wife) – his face lit up and he said, “Oh is it the dogs?!!”

Ian loved his wife so much, and we feel he is looking down and he’s happy that Team Twiby is still spreading the four legged friend love every week. Their daughter, Elspeth, tells us every week on how we have changed their lives. For us, it’s just doing the right thing, and it makes us smile.

Especially when Jean has the jam doughnuts out for Dave!