Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS) is an animal therapy program which operates primarily on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. PATS satellite offices are also in Campbell River, Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni and Smithers.
Sadey Guy is the founder and current director of PATS. She retired from nursing in 1988 and started the pet therapy program on Vancouver Island. Sadey was inspired to start the program by Toby (PATS logo dog) and several of her own dogs when she saw the difference the dogs meant to the folks in the facilities who had no hope of returning to their own homes.
Sadey, along with three friends and a veterinarian, setup the program and encouraged local facilities to get involved. It was heartening to find that PATS was received positively by the community. The veterinarian inspired other vets to help with the pet testing which originated from the Delta Society.
Twenty-two years later PATS has grown to include
- 24 veterinarian clinics (pet testing)
- 150 facilities visited by pets and volunteers
- 380+ volunteer members
- 1000+ volunteer hours each year
Volunteers take their pets to visit hospitals, retirement facilities, group homes, schools, preschools, daycares and other facilities where residents benefit from interaction with pets. PATS also provides private visits by request. There are many benefits when people interact with pets. Several breakthroughs have been noticed where folks are smiling and talking and staff have said that this has never happened before. Just as a client may form a bond with your pet volunteers may also form a special bond with a client so all three: pet, client and volunteer receive blessings through this friendship.
Visits with therapy pets encourage reminiscences and social interaction, and result in stress relief and incidental physiotherapy. Often, a visit with a pet can be the high point in a shut-in’s day, bringing happiness and a sense of well-being. Medical studies suggest that blood pressure may be lowered and hospital stays shortened when patients have access to pets.
There can also be sad times with this kind of therapy. Our pets’ lives are much shorter than ours and also many of our friends in the facilities can pass away. It can be upsetting for us as well as our pet that may have developed a relationship with the person who passed away. Despite this, we would not change our volunteering experience. We love it, and the rewards are unbelievable.
PATS is funded through membership fees, fundraising activities, bequests and donations. All donations are gratefully accepted, and tax deductible receipts are issued. Memorial donations are acknowledged with a card.
______________
In April 2008 PATS celebrated 20 years of pet and volunteer visits within the community. PATS pets and their owners gathered at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health for a trip down memory lane that included pictures, video presentations and memorabilia. In addition to celebrating the history of the organization, volunteers celebrated the outstanding work of Sadey Guy, founder of PATS.
In 2001 Sadey received the Vera Award sponsored by the University of Victoria Centre on Aging, this Valued Elder Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to humanity, society, and community. A tree with a plaque honouring Sadey has been planted at the University of Victoria.
