PAT Pigs...

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hallie2985

hallie2985

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I'm throwing this out there on the off chance someone might have some information to help me. I've googled, but got nowhere.

I'm a medical secretary in a hospital, and we're visited regularly by a couple of gorgeous PAT dogs. I'd really like for my piggies to be PAT piggies - they're so tame and very soothing to cuddle. I don't know how to go about getting them registered etc, though.

Does anyone have any advice/experience that might help?

Thanks!
 
Sorry I'm not much use as I don't even know what PAT stands for oops
 
It might be worth getting hold of PAT dogs and asking them but I don't think anything exists for small animals. I know that a few years back that Peter Guerny used to take guinea pigs into great ormond street but i believe one of his pigs bit a child so he had to stop going, if it is hospitals you want to take the pigs too I think it will be difficult as they have so much legal hoops to jump through, there is a thread on here tonight about bramley cavies taking their pigs into schools and rest homes so it may be worth contacting them to see what they needed to do, hope this helps a bit xx
 
PAT stands for Pets as Therapy; it's becoming increasingly popular.
 
One of our rescued girls used to be a therapy piggie for the profoundly disabled apparently. So, that seems an avenue that might be open to you.

However, after she came to us, and realised that she could choose her level of contact with us, she quickly displayed a fear of being touched. She still recoils at being touched, and I am working to get her confidence back up.

So I am thinking a lot of training needs to go into the piggie to go into that kind of therapy. I think she was more made to do it than enjoyed the handling.

Not sure piggies are really built for that kind of therapy though.

Best of luck!

-Carma
 
Suze on here (Cavy Corner) does PAT visits (Piggies As Therapy) to old folks homes, and other groups of people. It's extremely successful.
 
Ooo I should have been able to work that one out really, I blame the late night
 
A lovely lady local to me does this with guineas, bunnies etc and she also has a smallholding with kune kune pigs, pigmy goats, chickens etc which is open weekends for handicapped children etc to go in and handle the animals.

She also visits playschemes for children with mental and physical problems - she's brilliant and is in great demand.................not sure if their are other people who do this but definitely worth searching around :)

Teresa xx
 
I think this is an absolutely wonderful idea.

My boyfriends grandad suffers from severe alzheimers - anyways they have dogs as PAT and they love it. It evokes all sorts of memories for him and they see a little bit of how he used to be when they come in.

AS long as the piggies used are the most laid back piggies ever and LOVE hugs and being handled I don't think you would come up against many problems :)
 
aww we used to have a PAT dog, Purdy coming in where i work and the residents (& staff!) loved her, but she got poorly and had to stop coming :0
 
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