Emma Jane talks about volunteering with Wag and making a difference to her new friend in the same way as a volunteer and their dog did for her own grandad years before!
Volunteer with your dog
You and your cuddly dog could make a huge difference to the lives of older dog lovers in your community by becoming a 'Visiting Wag Team'.
Many of our elderly friends are bereaved and isolated and miss human friendship and the company of a dog. It only takes an hour or two most weeks to visit for a chat and a furry cuddle, to make a difference to their lives.
Becoming a Visiting Wag Team..
You
You’re 18 or over and can spare an hour or so most weeks to share your dog with older people close to your home.
We’ll support you through our process:- the reference, the online DBS check, finding the right placement match for you, giving you all the information you need at a Getting started session, providing insurance and your Wag starter pack - ID badge, Wag dog tag and bandana and a lovely Wag polo shirt for you too.
We’ll make it easy for you to submit your online visit logs which record your visits and any issues that may arise.
Once you’re part of our community, we’ll provide you with all the support you need. Visiting is so rewarding and you make such wonderful new friends, but it can sometimes be challenging and emotional too.
You'll be able to join our volunteer Facebook and WhatsApp groups, receive a monthly newsletter and be entered into our monthly volunteer prize draw with the chance to win some great prizes donated by local businesses to recognise your lovely work.
Your Dog
Your dog must be at least 18 months old, have a good temperament and level of behaviour and enjoy being handled.
Most Wag Friendship Dogs are normal cuddle monsters not obedience champions, but obviously it’s important they are under control and pass our assessment. To see if your dog would enjoy volunteering, why not take a look at our suitabiity and assessment criteria.
You must have had your dog for at least 6 months, feed dog food or cooked - rather than raw - meat and be happy to follow our veterinary guidelines which comply with national standards for visiting dogs.
Rich & Elvis
Rich and Elvis the Boxador have been visiting for over 6 years.
“At first you think, my dog’s never going to be able to pass the assessment, but they just mustn’t be too boisterous and jumping around. You’re put at ease and it’s all pretty straightforward. It’s enjoyable for you as well as the people you visit and it’s great to see the smiles on peoples faces.”
Mandy & Max
Mandy’s volunteered with Wag for over 7 years first with Labrador Annie and now with little Max. Initially she wasn’t working and she visited twice a week, now she’s working again, visiting a care home once a month works best for her.
“It’s such a lovely thing to do with your best friend and it makes such a difference to the lives of elderly people.”
Nic & Skye
Nic’s retired and he got Skye not long after he lost his wife.
“Skye has been such a marvellous companion to me and she brings a lot of pleasure to other people too now. Volunteering with Skye gets me out of the house and I”m meeting people too.“
Nigel & Whitley
Nigel’s volunteered with his beautiful Cockapoo Whitley since 2021.
“The most rewarding thing is the happiness and joy that Whitley brings to the patients and staff within Northumbria NHS.”
Ant & Albus
Ant has been a Wag volunteer since 2022 – he is from South Tyneside, he works full time and he and his lovely Cockapoo Albus regularly visit two separate gentlemen in their own homes nearby.
“I don’t think loneliness should be something that people struggle with, and Albus just loves people and being fussed, so it seemed like a natural thing to do“
Suzanne & Gracie
Suzanne and her Romanian rescue dog Gracie bring comfort to people at the end of their lives in the Palliative Care Unit at North Tyneside Hospital and friendship to residents in a care home in Newcastle. Volunteering was a lifeline for Suzanne after losing her son tragically.
“Gracie and I are a bonded pair, we love our quiet life after our traumatic times. I like to think that giving back through our Wag visits is helping us to both heal a little.”
Jodie & Pepper
Jodie and Pepper visit a lady in her own home close by. Jodie works full time, so being able to walk around with Pepper for an hour or two every Wednesday evening allows her to fit visiting in with her life.
“Our friend really looks forward to us coming and Pepper’s so excited when she gets to the gate. It’s been lovely to see their relationship build and I enjoy it too, we have a cuppa and a chat and swop stories about our weeks.“