A RESCUE pooch has joined the growing ranks of therapy dogs in Teesdale.
Anne Richardson, from Woodland, and her rescue dog William qualified to join Therapy Dogs Nationwide earlier this year and completed their debut at Teesside Airport last month.
Ms Richardson had considered signing up to the scheme for several years but her dogs have been too old or too young at the time.
However, she was prompted to apply after reading about an article in the Teesdale Mercury last year.
She said: “It had the web details on so I thought there is no harm in contacting them. They sent me some information about the dogs they look for.
“[Therapy dogs] is a free service performed by volunteers and their dog. Dogs have been through a tough assessment and handlers have been interviewed and reference checked.”
Along with having a current DBS certificate, Ms Richardson has also completed safeguarding courses, has a level 2 in counselling and has just completed a dementia course at Lanchester Road Hospital through Durham County Carers.
More recently Ms Richardson and William held a meet-and-greet at Etherley Methodist Church’s craft fair.
She said: “William seems to enjoy it. It was a long day but he loved it.”
Organisations that would like a visit from the pair can visit therapydogsnationwide .org.
