Pringle, the Dog, Assists Elderly People to End Loneliness…

Since 2017, Pringle, a ten-year-old golden retriever, has found her own route to work. According to Mirror, she has acquired the title of Friendship Dog by bringing joy to elderly individuals who may be lonely.

This all started when the North East charity Wag & Company pledged to “eliminate isolation for older dog lovers” by sending volunteers and their dogs to visit them on a regular basis. According to the firm, almost 51,000 retirees in the North East report being lonely all or most of the time. Many of them are dog enthusiasts who are unable to have their own dogs due to personal circumstances.

Wag & Company, which was founded in 2015, is the only charity in the UK that sends dogs to people’s homes. According to its website, “with just an hour or two most weeks, our professionally assessed Visiting Wag Teams provide something to look forward to, some companionship, a talk, a cuppa, and a cuddle with that much-missed furry buddy.”

Time spent with a visiting dog is crucial for elderly individuals who have lost relatives and friends as they have gotten older, and whose decreasing health has made it difficult for them to go out and meet others.

According to their website, the visits help over three thousand people, with over seventy-nine thousand visits and 403 volunteers. Wag & Company also serves the North East of England’s 12 unitary councils.

Elsie, an 84-year-old woman from Benton in Newcastle, is one of many who benefits from the visits.

She requested a visiting dog because she was missing canine company after growing up with family dogs. She was paired with Emma and Pringle, two volunteers.

When Pringle isn’t cuddling up next to her new pal on the couch, she naps on Elsie’s feet. Elsie has even purchased a food bowl and special snacks for the beloved furry buddy for when she comes to visit.

Emma, Pringle’s owner, says Pringle enjoys her trips to Elsie and always rushes joyfully towards the door.

“I grew up with a dog that was like a sister to me, so when we had the two sons, we chose to let them grow up with a dog as well.” There’s only a dog there. “You can’t put it into words,” Elsie replied. “It’s just nice to have a furry pal.” That’s all there is to it.”

Wag & Company also arranges visits for dogs to hospitals and nursing homes. Their one-of-a-kind home visiting service has been especially important for older persons who have been isolated as a result of Covid-19.

“Especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, when some of our communities are experiencing an upsurge in social isolation and loneliness,” stated Diane Morton, Wag & Company’s chair and operations director.

Because of the surge in cases, the organization is currently looking for more volunteers in the North East of the United Kingdom, notably in Newcastle.

“We’re always looking for volunteers; there’s a great demand,” Morton added.

Diane also tells dog owners that their dog “doesn’t have to be Crufts-trained” to be a friendly dog. Prospective service dogs and their owners are subjected to a suitability test to determine whether they would appreciate being that type of support animal. Volunteers are reminded that they only need to give an hour or two of their time each week to make a significant difference in someone’s life.

“Our volunteers quickly become friends,” Diane explained. “They share so much, and they give people something to look forward to – a dog to love again, and somebody to visit and share stories.”

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Pringle, the Dog, Assists Elderly People to End Loneliness…
Watch this video!!! This pup smiles in the hands of the rescuers…