A happy tail...
THE coronavirus pandemic has led to further isolation and loneliness among older people following the cancellation of care home visits and the Government’s initial instruction to stay at home.
However, one North East charity has been working creatively to continue its vital service during lockdown.
Wag and Company organises dog visits for older and vulnerable people in the North East to provide companionship.
Now it is focusing efforts on contactless methods to keep in touch with those in need.
Diane Morton, chairwoman and founder of Wag and Company, said: “It is truly tragic our Wag teams have not been able to carry out their regular visits in the last three months but everyone’s health and safety must come first.
“The visits give so many isolated and lonely elderly people in the North
East something to look forward to and they are a genuine source of friendship for them.”
To engage with the 3,000 people in the region who benefit from Wag and Company’s work, the charity’s volunteers have been holding video calls as well as creating dog newsletters and photo books.
They have also been writing personalised letters and assisting those who heavily rely on the charity with their shopping.
Lynn Brennan, who lives alone in Killingworth, North Tyneside, credits Wag and Company for saving her life.
Before lockdown, she was receiving visits from volunteer Gemma Fowle and Bentley, a springer collie cross breed.
The 69-year-old said: “Gemma and Bentley saved my life.
“I absolutely love dogs and after I lost my beloved German shepherd Sasha I could not have another one because of my health.
“I was so lonely and depressed but the moment I was introduced to Gemma and Bentley I fell in love with them instantly and because of their regular visits I was able to cancel my weekly counselling sessions.”
She added: “It is so difficult now, though,with this virus.
“I have breathing difficulties and I am shielding and I have found it terribly frightening. I miss seeing them both so badly and cuddling Bentley.
“Gemma is amazing, though, phoning and sending me videos of Bentley and her other dog Stanley all the time.
“Not seeing them in person is tough but we just have to keep going until this is all over.”
To enable Wag and Company to continue its work after lockdown, the charity has launched two new initiatives - the Friends of Wag and Walk for Wag Anywhere.
The Friends of Wag scheme is designed to encourage people to regularly donate to the charity to safeguard its future from as little as £5 a month.
By becoming a Friend of Wag, people can help support the safe deployment of volunteers by paying for DBS assessments or helping to equip members of the team with starter packs including their ID or Wag bandanna each volunteer dog wears on their visit.
Its second initiative, Walk for Wag Anywhere, is an alternative to the charity’s annual Walk for Wag event which has taken place every September at Kielder Water and Forest Park.
This year, the charity is encouraging dog owners to complete their own 10km or 3km walks anywhere they like - raising much-needed funds in the process. Diane added: “Our funds are significantly down and it is critical we generate some new revenue coming into the charity.
“We are the only visiting dogs’ charity befriending older dog lovers in their own homes as well as in care or in hospitals.
”We must continue to grow our services so more people can enjoy the friendship of our volunteers and, of course, the love of a dog.”