Therapy Pets Would Make a Care Home More Positive

New research commissioned by Pets As Therapy highlights the powerful emotional support animals can provide and the growing demand for therapy pet visits across the UK, as part of the charity’s One Pet, Many Smiles campaign showing how therapy pets are transforming lives.

Just under nine in ten (89%) pet owners surveyed say seeing a therapy pet in a hospital or a care home would make them feel more positive about their stay, according to new research commissioned by national charity Pets As Therapy (PAT).

The survey of 2,001 UK pet owners found that 89%1 believe therapy animals could help improve people’s experiences in healthcare settings, highlighting the comfort and emotional support animals can provide during difficult times.

At a time when many people are experiencing loneliness, rising stress levels and increasing pressure on health and care services, therapy animals are increasingly recognised for the comfort and emotional support they can provide.

Across the UK, more than 6,200 Pets As Therapy volunteers visit over 6,600 schools, hospitals, care homes and community settings, helping more than 631,000 people each year experience the comfort and companionship animals can bring.

Pets As Therapy Volunteer Jane Hough, who visits the Royal Derby Hospital with her Sheltie, Stitch, said: “On one visit I was told a patient was having a particularly bad day. As soon as she saw Stitch her whole face lit up with delight and happiness. After spending a little time with him she said she felt much better – it just showed what a difference a visit can make.”

Last year alone, Pets As Therapy volunteers and their animals delivered around 133,000 visits, creating more than two million moments of connection for people in schools, hospitals and care homes across the UK. These visits offer connection, reassurance and moments of joy to people who may be experiencing illness, anxiety or loneliness.

Wellbeing insights from the survey:

Support for therapy animals is strong across the UK and even higher in some regions. In Northern Ireland, 95% say seeing a therapy pet in hospital or a care home would make them feel more positive, while its 92% in Yorkshire and the South West, and 91% of people in Scotland.

Through thousands of visits each year, PAT volunteers regularly see how time with a friendly dog or cat can lift moods, reduce anxiety and ease feelings of loneliness.

However, demand for visits is now growing faster than the charity can meet. New internal data from Pets As Therapy shows that in 2024/25, just one in three newly registered establishments requesting a PAT visit were able to secure a placement.

Pets As Therapy CEO, Steven Wibberley, said: “Animals have a remarkable ability to bring comfort and connection, and our volunteers see the difference a visit from a friendly dog or cat can make every day – whether that’s lifting spirits on a hospital ward, bringing companionship to a care home resident, or helping a child feel calmer in the classroom.

“But we can't keep up with the demand. With just one in three newly registered establishments able to secure a PAT visit, many schools, hospitals and care homes are waiting for support.

“We urgently need more volunteers and their pets to help us reach the communities asking for our help, and continued fundraising support will allow us to expand the programme and bring these visits to even more people.”

The findings highlight strong public support for the comfort and companionship therapy animals bring, and the growing demand for visits in communities across the UK.

Pets As Therapy is encouraging pet owners who believe their dog or cat has the right temperament to consider volunteering and helping bring these moments of connection to even more people through the charity’s One Pet, Many Smiles campaign.

Find out more: www.petsastherapy.org