Residents at Park House in Guisborough talk about the joy that a visit and a cuddle from a furry Wag friend brings
We enable professionally assessed volunteers and their special dogs to safely visit older dog lovers across the North East of England.
We are currently the only visiting dog charity to visit people in their own homes as well as in care and medical establishments.
Wherever you would like us to visit our Visiting services leaflet and Frequently asked questions section will help.
Visiting Services leaflet
Asking us to visit
Home visiting
Home visits must be referred to us by a professional organisation involved in social care, for example, your local adult social services, the British Red Cross, the NHS, your GP or medical practice.
They make the referral online and they accompany the Visiting Wag Team on the first visit.
Visiting care and medical establishments
Care and medical establishments also ask us to visit and their residents and patients love to have regular contact with a dog again.
“We have 56 residents and many used to have a dog, they love it when Poppy comes in. It awakens all sorts of senses, they remember their own dogs and they experience feelings of pure joy.”
Tracy, Park House Care Home
“It’s so lovely to see people’s faces light up when we visit with their little Wag pals. It makes a huge difference to their day and gives them something to look forward to.”
Visiting Wag Team, Liz & Millie
“The service is phenomenal. Mam really looks forward to their visits. They've made such a difference and lightened Mam's Tuesdays. I am so grateful to Dot our volunteer and to Wag & Company.”
Sue Avery
Care or medical establishments
If you have been considering having a visiting dog team in your care or medical establishment, we hope we've convinced you of the benefits of friendship dogs and the amazing effect they can have on morale and wellbeing.
Please take some time to read through our Frequently Asked Questions section which should cover many of the questions you might have – then complete and submit the visit request form.
Become a Friend of Wag
We never charge for our visits for fear of people in need missing out, but we have no guaranteed income and rely entirely on everyone’s generosity and support. So if you love what we do and would like to help us to do more, then please become a friend of Wag.
Home visits
Our home visits are for older dog lovers, typically over the age of 65, people who have always had a dog, but who can’t have one of their own any more and who miss that contact.
We are a ‘visiting’ charity, so no one should have an expectation of outings or walks. These are sometimes possible but for reasons of health and risk management, they shouldn’t be expected.
We never charge for our visits in case those most in need miss out. Instead, we rely entirely on donations. So if you value our service and can afford to contribute please help us in whatever way you can, donating, fundraising or becoming a Friend of Wag.
“My client is bed bound at home receiving palliative care. Sadly she all too often voices her wish to be ‘put to sleep’ as she has no quality of life whatsoever. Since Friendship Dog Poppy started to visit she told me excitedly that at least now she has something to live for. I can’t tell you how emotional I felt. I hope your volunteer fully understands just how much the visits with her gorgeous dog have meant. Thank you Wag & Company for all your hard work and dedication.”
Amanda McWilliams
Home Instead Senior Care Team, Newcastle upon Tyne
Lynn’s story
Lynn lives in Killingworth, she lives alone having lost her husband in 2009 and her German Shepherd, Sasha, in 2017. Lynn has severe arthritis, chronic lung disease and depression and her poor health prevents her from having a dog of her own any more. In August 2018, she was matched with Gemma and Springer Spaniel cross Border Collie “Bentley” Lynn tells us:
“I really look forward to seeing Gemma and Bentley every week, I’m very lucky and privileged to have them. Wag & Company have saved my life, a million thank yous.”
John’s story
John lived in Cramlington and after he lost his wife of 64 years, Nora, and also his 20 year old border terrier, Mick, John said when he looked around him at four walls he thought his life was ‘empty’. In March 2018 Visiting Wag Team, Sean and Alfie the labrador started visiting John on referral from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; John told us:
“At the beginning of the year I had nothing and now I have a wonderful relationship with these lovely friends and my life has completely changed. I do get lonely living on my own and I couldn’t manage to have a dog of my own now. This is the best of both worlds. It’s fantastic, like winning the Pools.”
Want to know more about our visits?