Canine Friends are people throughout New Zealand who share their well behaved dogs with hospital patients and residents of hospices and rest homes.
Each owner and dog team is assigned a rest home, hospital ward or
hospice which they visit regularly to an agreed timetable.
The location assigned will be determined by the owner's availability
and interest and the dog's personality.
Visits last around an hour, plus any travelling time. This can vary
depending on things like the weather. Some dogs wilt quite quickly in
hospital heat!
Members visit one or two locations on a regular basis, usually weekly
or fortnightly.
Visits are scheduled to suit hospitals and rest home programmes and
members' commitments and availability. Weekend visits have become
increasingly popular as fewer people have free time during the week.
Canine Friends is a growing network of dog owners, and their pets, in many areas of New Zealand. It is a totally voluntary organisation - no payment is ever asked for - the reward is in the pleasure given and shared.
Which breeds of dogs are best for this work?
Any breed of dog! Dogs can be any size shape or combination!
What matters is temperament and behaviour. Dogs who really like people and are quite calm are very successful at this work. We look for dogs that are friendly, gentle, quite placid, not too boisterous, dogs who like to be patted, talked to and have their ears scratched!
People have fun too
As a Canine Friends member you will have the opportunity to:
- share your interest in dogs with other like minded people.
- share the joy of your special dog with others less fortunate.
- enjoy the social side of Canine Friends where we share experiences at picnics and barbecues.
- enjoy seeing people come to life as they enjoy touching and talking to your dog.
- enjoy the reminiscences and stories that your dog brings out fo the people visited.
- share your skills and talents with a worthwhile organisation.
- contribute stories and photos to our website and newsletter.
