It鈥檚 Work Like a Dog Day, but not worry the idiom doesn鈥檛 apply here at all, rather St. John Ambulance is celebrating its therapy dogs returning for in-person pets and cuddles.
Today (Aug. 5), the charity鈥檚 four-legged volunteers and their handlers will make hour-long visits at a variety of workplaces to provide employees a stress-free break from work.
READ MORE: 鈥楬e鈥檚 the magic at the end of a leash鈥�: 91原创 therapy dog provides virtual joy
Among them is 91原创鈥檚 fluffy-tailed resident Ruby, who will be visiting at a retirement home in Surrey.
鈥淲ork Like a Dog Day is all about celebrating those who put in that extra effort and care all year long to their work,鈥� said Anna Boekhoven, manager of fund development and partnerships with St. John Ambulance.
鈥淕iven that our therapy dog teams are the most caring workers we know, we thought this was the perfect day to reunite them with their communities.鈥�
Before pandemic restrictions visits to hospitals, care homes, schools and workplaces were commonplace.
Interactions with therapy dogs have been proven to decrease stress levels, anxiety, and simply provide moments of undistracted joy, according to the humanitarian organization.
鈥淭he workplace teams get the opportunity to take a well-deserved puppy break, and our therapy dogs get an unlimited amount of attention and pets for up to an hour. It鈥檚 a win-win situation!鈥� Boekhoven enthused.
Didn鈥檛 get a chance to mark Work Like a Dog Day with the four-legged volunteers? The therapy dogs are available to visit any facility or event in 91原创, whether it鈥檚 a care home, doctor鈥檚 office, clinic or office.
To make a donation to the charity visit and to organize a visit email bcy.fundraising@sja.ca.
Have a story tip? Email: joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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