Wag & Company, a North-East based charity has received valuable funding from train operating company LNER.
The charity has over 370 volunteers who give an hour or two a week with their dogs, helping to reduce social isolation and loneliness for elderly people, who now longer have a dog of their own due to mobility or health reasons.
In the video below you can see 91-year-old Gladys who gets a visit from Wag & Co volunteer Helen and her dog Jasper.
With thanks to the funding from LNER, the charity Wag & Co, expect to be able to provide visits to up to 400 people in care homes or 40 extra home visits a week.
“There are more than 50,000 elderly people in the North East, many of whom experience the mental and physical impact of loneliness. Many miss the companionship of a dog, so the chance to chat with a volunteer and cuddle a furry friend is something to look forward to. The funding from LNER will allow us to recruit more volunteers and their dogs and reach more people, preventing them from experiencing social isolation.”
Diane Morton, Founder and Chair of Wag & Company
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