All Wag volunteers undertake a DBS check at Enhanced level with includes the Adult Barred list. They can bring a copy of their letter with them if required to their first visit. We take up competency based references and everyone has a face to face induction session as well as ongoing support providing them with the information they need to visit safely.
The charity is fortunate to have expert advice from Dr Tim Nuttall in animal health and wellbeing and David Ryan in animal behaviour to help us to ensure our visits are a safe and happy experience for everyone. Our temperament assessment considers how suitable the dogs are but also whether or not they would enjoy the experience of visiting. Our health and wellbeing standards comply with those of, amongst others, Public Health England and also the Royal College of Nursing.
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, becoming a Friend of Wag.
Yes, our insurance policy covers the provision of professionally assessed volunteers and their dogs visiting older dog lovers in their own homes or in care and medical establishments. It also includes cover for such things as exhibitions, conferences, clerical activities, fundraising events and other recreational activities. Further details can be provided if necessary by the get in touch
No I'm afraid we don't. Our mission is to reduce loneliness in older dog lovers by enabling dog owners to safely share their dogs with pensioners who miss friendship and can no longer have a dog of their own. We also can't assess dogs with children so we don't work with them. Other visiting dog charities are very experienced in this area though.
Not usually no. Our mission is to end loneliness for older dog lovers and we have large waiting lists but in exceptional circumstances we will try to help if we can.
There's more information provided here on our website. If you'd like anything else please just get in touch.
Yes you can just get in touch with us and we'll try to help. Sometimes we already have a volunteer visiting the care home and we'll make sure your gran's on their radar. Other times we'll suggest you contact the care home and ask them to ask us to visit online.