Local pooch Boots has joined the large number of dedicated therapy animals that bring smiles to many in Northland. Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy, involves the use of animals to help improve patients’ mental , emotional and physical wellbeing . This approach has been shown to offer many health benefits to patients, staff and whānau.
Boots, an 11-year-old Schnauzer Fox Terrier cross, made his debut visit to the children’s ward at Whangārei Hospital last week and is set to become a regular visitor to the hospital and other facilities. Therapy Pets was first introduced in 1988 by the SPCA’s Iris and Bob Kerridge, after they were inspired by a similar programme in San Francisco and saw the potential here in New Zealand. In 2003, the SPCA joined St John to grow the service around Auckland and then across the country.
Today, St John fully owns and operates the service..
