Can anyone tell me how I get involved with PAT dogs and how we get assessed?

Thanks

Try www.petsastherapy.org

Should have all the info you need.  My mate has a PAT dog.  Unfortunately Norman is a bit over zealous for it

Good luck

Once you have been sent the paperwork you need two refererees and your dog needs to be assessed for suitability by either a PAT assessor or a vet.  The latter normally charge so beware!  Once you have been "passed" you will be issued with a ID for you and your dog and then you decide what sort of establishment you will feel most comfortable working with, groups or individuals, mentally or physically handicapped, the elderly the young etc etc etc.

It is best to make a visit without the dog first so that you can see if you are happy with the situation and work out a frequency of visiting.

It is a lovely feeling being able to bring a lot of happiness to people through your dog.

although shiba is only 15 weeks old i have applied for an application form to hopefully join pat. i am disabled myself and my bitch is quite used to a walking stick, crutches, and wheelchairs.
i am very interested in doing this and hope in time i will be accepted.

I think you must have owned your dog for a minimum of 12 months before they will accept you, but at least you will have the info and know what is expected of your dog.

Sorry it is six months.

shiba will be 6 months in april/may time? 7th november born have.nt got a callendar???
surely we would be accepted as i am disabled myself so can communicate with disabled and shiba is used to people, ringcraft etc and a wheelchair, crutches and a walking stick?
just got to wait untill shes 6 months old before the application goes back, i would love to visit nursing homes, resedential homes for elderly, disabled and mentally handicapped.
Visit able bodied school also and give talks to the kiddies about working dogs for disabled.
the potential is great and would be very beneficial for me.
sam

I am sure your dog will be accepted if she can walk on a loose lead, take titbits nicely, be fine with other dogs and people, like being stroked by strangers, not afraid of loud noises, can be handled and groomed easily etc.  It is just basic good manners that all dogs should have.

There is a yearly fee to cover insurance.

ive read about the yearly fee £15 thats nothing compared to the joy i would feel, shiba goes to ringcraft and obedience classes and will be doing the gcs,
this will help greatly, shes used to other dogs, takes things very gently my trick is putting titbits in my mouth and she takes them lip to lip, she also has 2 kids here in our family and 1 other dog.
shes already got certain qualities they look for.
sam

Thanks everybody for your replys.  Sorry it has taken me so long to say thanks but I have been speaking to my local area co-ordinator for PAT and she seems to think that Jasper would be okay.  I am just waiting for my application forms.

Received my application forms yesterday.  The yearly fee is now £19 but I don't mind paying that

Just in case anyone is interested ;)

Jasper is going for his assesment tomorrow at 2:00pm.  He is going to be assesed by our Regional Director.  We are really looking forward to it.

Wish us luck

Good Luck!

We participated in the PAT Dog Parade on Friday at Crufts and my dog thoroughly enjoyed the fuss that was made of her when the children and others were invited in to get to know the dogs. 

I am very proud of my PAT dog! :D

Jasper had his assessment today as it was cancelled yesterday.  He did very well.  I was fortunate to get him back.  One of the assesors took him for a walk and was gone about 5 minutes while I spoke to the other assesor.  They seemed very impressed so I have everything crossed that he is accepted.  I told my children's teacher's that we were going for PAT assessment and he is already booked into the school. Another wait now of about 6-8 weeks to know for sure whether he is accepted or not.

tohme please keep your fingers and everything else crossed for us.  Which area do you come from?  Which establishments do you go to? 

Does anyone else on this board have a PAT dog or cat?

Hello Naomi,

I have a working black lab Isla who is 5 1/2 years old and has been 'Patting' for about 8 months now.  We visit our local Isabel Hospice every week, sometimes for 20 minutes, sometimes for up to 1 hour-it all depends on just how ill the patients are that week.  I have found it very rewarding and it has added another dimension to Islas life.  She does pet dog training, working trials, tracking and nosework as well, but its nice to give her something that she will be able to do even when she is a lot older.

Good luck, I'm sure that Jasper will be fine.

Ali :)

ps, when he is accepted and you have found somewhere to visit, I would arrange a visit for him just to meet the staff and have a good sniff round the place, before actually starting a visit, especially if he is a really 'smell' orientated dog.  This means that when he starts to meet his patients, he will already feel at home.

I live in Wiltshire and like ali have a dog that competes in Working Trials as well as agility and showing.  I visit a client in a Mencap home once every fortnight for around half an hour which I find sufficient for all concerned.  Like Ali I would recommend visiting without your dog first to ensure that the establishment is secure and that there are no "problems" like an insecure fence if you are in a garden etc.

I am sure Jasper will be fine.