About Pets As Therapy

Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983 by Lesley Scott-Ordish.
We enhance health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers with their behaviourally assessed animals. 

Research shows that young people can become nervous and stressed when reading to others in a group. However, when a PAT Dog enters the group, they often become less stressed, less self-conscious and more confident as the dogs are non-judgemental. Before long the young people are starting to look forward to the reading experience as they are going to read to their new friend, the PAT Dog. PAT Dogs provide comfort, encourage positive social behaviours, enhance self-esteem, motivate speech and inspire young people to have fun.

Pipper - Our School PAT (Pets As Therapy) Dog

Pipper is owned, trained and loved by Noel Austin, who is a retired teacher from Sir Henry Fermor and knows our school very well. Pipper is a PAT dog who provides opportunities to improve literacy in children by developing their confidence, interest and enjoyment in reading through the 'read2dogs' scheme.