Essex Therapy Dogs CIO
Bringing comfort, connection and calm through the power of therapy dogs
Essex Therapy Dogs is an award-winning volunteer organisation providing carefully assessed therapy dog visits across hospitals, schools, care settings and community spaces throughout Essex.
Every visit creates moments that matter — from lifting spirits to supporting wellbeing and bringing comfort at the most difficult times.
Professional with heart. Trusted across Essex.
Essex Therapy Dogs is a respected and award-recognised volunteer organisation providing carefully assessed therapy dog visits across hospitals, schools, care settings and community spaces throughout Essex.
Our volunteers and their dogs bring comfort, calm and connection to people of all ages — from children in education settings to patients in hospital and those receiving end-of-life care.
Each visit creates moments that matter.
For some it lifts a difficult day. For others it can be deeply moving, reassuring and sometimes life-changing.
We are proud to support communities across Essex and to work in partnership with organisations who recognise the powerful impact therapy dogs can have on wellbeing.
Making a difference across Essex every single week
Essex Therapy Dogs is a trusted volunteer organisation bringing comfort, calm and connection to people across hospitals, hospices, schools, care settings and community spaces throughout Essex.
Our carefully assessed volunteers and their dogs visit individuals who may be unwell, isolated, anxious or simply in need of a moment of warmth and companionship.
For some people, a therapy dog visit lifts their day.
For others, it can provide reassurance during illness, reduce anxiety, encourage communication or bring comfort at the most difficult stages of life.
We regularly see the positive impact these visits have — not only on those receiving them, but on families, staff and the wider community too.
It is a privilege to witness the difference a gentle dog and a kind volunteer can make.
Recognised for the difference our volunteers make
Essex Therapy Dogs is proud to have received national recognition for the impact our volunteers and their dogs make across communities in Essex.
We were honoured to receive the Good Morning Britain 1 Million Minutes Volunteer Champion Award, celebrating the dedication, compassion and commitment shown by our volunteer teams each and every week.
This recognition reflects the meaningful difference therapy dog visits bring to hospitals, schools, care settings and communities across the county. While the greatest reward will always be the comfort and connection our visits provide, we are incredibly proud to see the work of Essex Therapy Dogs acknowledged on a national stage.
Good Morning Britain 1 Million Minutes Volunteer Champion Award
Left to Right: Ranvir Singh, TV Presenter. Tina Jullings, Chair and Founder. Lorraine Joy, Trustee. Graeme Hall, The Dogfather.
BBC Make a Difference Award
Essex Therapy Dogs was honoured to receive a Highly Commended recognition at the BBC Essex Make a Difference Awards.
Selected from hundreds of nominations across the county, this acknowledgement reflects the meaningful impact our volunteers and their dogs make in communities throughout Essex every single week.
Our therapy dog teams support a wide range of settings including hospitals, mental health units, schools and universities, care homes, airports, prisons and community organisations — offering comfort, connection and moments of calm to those who need it most.
We are incredibly proud of every volunteer and dog who gives their time so generously.
This recognition belongs to all of them.
A special mention goes to Coco and Merlin, whose visits to Broomfield Hospital helped inspire the original nomination, and to every Essex Therapy Dogs team quietly making a difference across the county.
My story — how Essex Therapy Dogs began
Hello, I’m Tina, founder of Essex Therapy Dogs.
My journey into therapy dog work began many years ago with my very first dog, a small Yorkie cross rescue called Bushy. We adopted him from Mutts in Distress, and during our home check a volunteer remarked on his gentle, loving nature and suggested he would make a wonderful therapy dog.
She was absolutely right.
Bushy had an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Children and adults alike were drawn to him, and despite being very small (and now 14 years old), he brought enormous comfort to everyone he met. He has long since retired, but he was the dog who opened my eyes to the quiet power therapy dogs can have.
Over the following decade, I went on to volunteer extensively within the therapy dog sector — assessing dogs, supporting volunteers and serving as a Trustee. Through this experience, I gained a deep understanding of what makes a successful therapy dog partnership and how important strong support, professionalism and shared values are for volunteers.
With encouragement from friends and family, I decided to create a charity that felt welcoming, community-focused and grounded in care — while maintaining high standards and professionalism.
That decision led to the creation of Essex Therapy Dogs: a growing community of dedicated volunteers and wonderful dogs, all united by a desire to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives across Essex.
Supporting emotional wellbeing
Therapy dog visits can have a powerful and reassuring impact on emotional wellbeing.
- Helping people feel calmer and more relaxed
- Providing comfort and emotional reassurance
- Reducing loneliness and social isolation
- Encouraging conversation and connection
- Supporting those living with anxiety or dementia
- Lifting mood and reducing feelings of depression
Supporting physical wellbeing
Time spent with a calm, friendly therapy dog can bring gentle physical benefits alongside emotional comfort.
- Helping the body relax and release physical tension
- Supporting reduced stress levels and steadier breathing
- Encouraging calm, positive interaction
- Providing a soothing distraction from pain or discomfort
- Supporting overall wellbeing and cardiovascular health
- Releasing feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine while reducing stress hormones
Merlin bringing calm to young patients
At Broomfield Hospital, where young patients can often feel anxious before procedures, one very special visitor is helping to create moments of calm and reassurance — Merlin, a gentle Golden Retriever therapy dog.
With his handler Mandy, Merlin regularly supports children attending paediatric services, offering comfort and quiet companionship at what can be a worrying time for both patients and families.
Merlin also features in a dedicated hospital video created to help young patients feel more at ease before treatment. His calm presence helps turn nervous moments into more reassuring ones, supporting both children and staff within the clinical environment.
Moments like these show the true value of therapy dog visits.
A gentle interaction, a familiar face and a wagging tail can make hospital experiences feel far less daunting.
We are incredibly proud of Merlin, Mandy and all of our volunteer teams who bring comfort and connection into healthcare settings across Essex every week.
Our volunteer and dog assessment process
Every Essex Therapy Dogs volunteer and their dog goes through a careful and supportive assessment process to ensure visits are safe, appropriate and enjoyable for everyone involved.
We look for calm, friendly dogs and committed dog owners who share our values and understand the importance of this unique volunteering role.
This short video offers a glimpse into how we assess and prepare our volunteers before they begin visiting across Essex.
Frequently Asked Questions
A good therapy dog is one with a naturally calm, gentle and people-focused temperament.
We welcome dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds — including crossbreeds and rescues — as it is personality and behaviour that matter most, not appearance or pedigree.
Dogs should be comfortable around different people and environments, able to remain relaxed when being gently handled and responsive to their handler. Basic training and good manners are essential, and it is the handler’s responsibility to ensure their dog is well prepared for visits.
Our assessment process is designed to ensure each dog and handler partnership is suited to this special and rewarding role.
Therapy dogs need a naturally calm, friendly and tolerant temperament. They should enjoy gentle interaction with people and feel comfortable in a variety of environments.
We look for dogs who are able to:
Walk calmly on a loose lead
Sit and settle when asked
Remain relaxed around unexpected sounds and new surroundings
Take treats gently from a person’s hand
Show confidence without being overly excitable
Interact safely and appropriately with both adults and children
While visits are always supervised, therapy dogs should be tolerant of gentle touch and able to remain calm if people move or behave unpredictably. A steady, patient nature is key.
Basic training and good manners are essential, and many owners find local training classes or the Kennel Club Good Citizen scheme helpful in preparing their dog.
Some dogs also enjoy learning simple tricks, which can be a lovely way to engage with those we visit — though this is entirely optional.
Our assessment process helps us determine whether each dog and handler partnership is well suited to this rewarding role.
This is not usually a problem.
Most therapy dog visits take place with the handler and dog working together independently, and many settings do not have resident animals. However, some care homes and establishments may have a resident cat or other pets.
If your dog is uncomfortable around cats, we simply ask that you let us know during the assessment process so we can ensure you are placed in a suitable visiting environment.
Our aim is always to create positive, safe and enjoyable experiences for our volunteers, their dogs and the people we visit.
We generally accept dogs from around one year of age, once they have moved beyond the puppy stage and have developed the maturity and basic training needed for this role.
Many therapy dogs continue visiting until around 10 years old, although this varies depending on breed, health and individual temperament. Some dogs may enjoy visiting for longer, while others may retire earlier — every dog is different.
The most important factor is not simply age, but maturity and suitability. Some younger dogs may need additional time to develop the calm and steady temperament required, while others are ready sooner.
Our assessment process allows us to consider each dog individually and ensure they are well suited to therapy work before visits begin.
Yes — many rescue dogs make wonderful therapy dogs.
What matters most is temperament, confidence and how comfortable the dog feels around different people and environments. Rescue dogs often form strong bonds with their handlers and can be especially gentle and intuitive.
We do ask that you have owned your dog for at least a year before applying. This allows time for them to settle into their new home and for any behavioural or socialisation needs to become clear.
As with all dogs, suitability is assessed on an individual basis. Our assessment process helps ensure that both dog and handler feel confident, comfortable and well prepared for this rewarding role.
We ideally ask volunteers to commit to around one hour of therapy dog visiting per week.
Some volunteers may choose to visit more frequently, while others may visit less often depending on their availability and the needs of their dog. We encourage each volunteer to find a routine that works well for both themselves and their dog.
Visits are usually kept to around an hour, as therapy work can be surprisingly tiring for dogs. While the interaction is gentle and positive, being in new environments and meeting unfamiliar people requires concentration and emotional energy from the dog.
Our priority is always the wellbeing of the dogs, so we encourage visits to remain manageable and enjoyable for them. This guidance helps ensure that every visit remains a positive experience for both dog and owner
All therapy dogs should be clean, well groomed and comfortable before attending any visit.
Good hygiene is important for both the wellbeing of your dog and the people we support. Dogs should be brushed regularly and presented in a clean, tidy and healthy condition. Each breed has different grooming needs, so we simply ask that your dog is suitably prepared and presentable for visiting environments.
Professional grooming is not required — a bath or thorough brush before visits is usually sufficient.
Ensuring your dog is relaxed, comfortable and feeling their best helps create a positive experience for everyone involved.
Yes. All therapy dogs must have appropriate protection against common infectious diseases.
This can be through routine vaccinations or, where appropriate, titre testing or veterinary-approved alternatives. Evidence of your dog’s current protection will be required before they can be accepted as an Essex Therapy Dogs visiting team.
These measures help ensure the safety and wellbeing of the vulnerable people we visit, as well as the health of all dogs involved in our programme.
Annual Membership fees are as follows:
| Single membership with one dog | £20.00 |
| Single membership with more than one dog | £25.00 |
| Joint membership with one dog | £25.00 |
| Joint membership with more than one dog | £30.00 |
| Additional member added after initial assessment has taken place. | £10.00 |
Your membership fee helps support the running of Essex Therapy Dogs and ensures you and your dog are fully prepared and insured for visiting.
Members receive:
🐾 A welcome pack
🐾 Official ID badge and lanyard
🐾 Public liability/indemnity insurance
• £5 million cover for your dog
• £10 million cover for handlers
🐾 Essex Therapy Dogs badge for clothing or uniform
🐾 Branded dog bandana with Essex Therapy Dogs logo
Yes. Your dog will be covered by Essex Therapy Dogs’ indemnity insurance while taking part in official, authorised visits.
This insurance provides cover of up to £5 million for any accidental damage caused by your dog during a visit. For example, this may include situations where cleaning or minor repairs are required following an unexpected incident.
Please note that this policy does not cover injury or harm to your own dog. We recommend that handlers maintain appropriate personal pet insurance and check with their insurer to understand what is covered.
Insurance provided by Essex Therapy Dogs applies only during official, approved visits and activities.
Our dedicated Placement Secretary will work with you to identify a suitable placement once you and your dog have successfully completed the assessment process.
We carefully match volunteers to locations based on factors such as location, availability and the suitability of your dog for particular environments. This helps ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for both you and the people you will be visiting.
Support is provided when you begin, and where needed you may be accompanied on your first visit to help you feel confident and prepared. We are always available to offer guidance as you settle into your volunteering role.
Due to the high level of interest in volunteering with Essex Therapy Dogs, there may occasionally be a waiting period between assessment and placement.
We work carefully to match each volunteer and dog with a suitable location and will keep you informed throughout the process. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we ensure the right placements for both our volunteers and the people we support.
Our volunteers visit a wide range of settings across Essex, including hospitals, schools, care homes, hospices and community organisations.
Placements are arranged carefully to suit both you and your dog, taking into account location, environment and availability. Wherever possible, we aim to place volunteers within a reasonable travelling distance from home.
We always try to take your preferences into account when arranging placements. However, availability will depend on current requests and suitable locations for your dog.
Our Placement Secretary will work with you to find a placement that feels comfortable, appropriate and rewarding for both you and your dog.
You will be part of a friendly and supportive volunteer community. Guidance is available throughout your journey — from assessment through to your first visits and beyond.
We are always available to offer advice, answer questions and support you as you settle into your role. Many volunteers also enjoy connecting with others within Essex Therapy Dogs and sharing experiences.
Become a Friend and Supporter of Essex Therapy Dogs.
Many people would love to support Essex Therapy Dogs but don’t have a suitable dog to volunteer with. Becoming a Friend of Essex Therapy Dogs is a wonderful way to stay connected and be part of our growing community.
Your support helps us continue providing safe, professional and compassionate therapy dog visits to people across Essex who benefit from comfort, companionship and connection.
For an annual contribution of £20, Friends of Essex Therapy Dogs receive:
🐾 A lanyard and personalised ID badge (with your photo or a dog breed of your choice)
🐾 Essex Therapy Dogs notebook and pen
🐾 Access to our newsletter
🐾 Invitations to selected events and talks
If you would like to become a Friend of Essex Therapy Dogs or find out more, please contact Lorraine at:
enquiries@essextherapydogs.co.uk
Helpful contacts for dog owners and volunteers
For enquiries relating to assistance dog training or specialist behavioural support, K9S may be able to help guide you.
Grant provides professional dog training support and has a strong understanding of the calm, responsive behaviours required for therapy dog work.
The difference our visits make
We regularly receive feedback from the people and organisations we visit. Here is just a small glimpse of the difference therapy dog visits can make.
New Volunteer Enquiry Form
Enquiry about becoming a volunteer of Essex Therapy Dogs
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Request a Dog Visit
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Inviting Essex Therapy Dogs to your event
Essex Therapy Dogs is regularly invited to attend community events, wellbeing days and to give talks about the positive impact of therapy dog visits across Essex.
We are always pleased to hear from organisations who would like to learn more about our work or explore how a visit or talk could form part of their event.
If you would like to enquire about inviting Essex Therapy Dogs to attend an event or deliver a talk, please contact our events team: