Vet’s Kitchen has launched Woof & Well, a competition looking for tales of everyday heroism from owners to thank their dog for helping them feel better.
Caring for a dog can benefit our mental health in so many ways. From keeping us active and boosting our confidence to helping us meet new people. Dogs don’t judge, get bored of our jokes or tire of walks along the same route. For children, the love of a canine companion can influence their world in a positive way, enabling them to grow up stronger and more resilient. This is why Vet’s Kitchen is launching the Woof & Well 2023 Award with a focus on mental wellbeing.
“Nothing beats the welcome you receive from your dog. Whether it’s a waggy tail at the end of a long working day or seeing your dog outside the school gates, their enthusiasm is contagious,” says Laura Shears MD of Vet’s Kitchen. “Humans and their canine companions have always made for a winning team.
That’s why our Woof & Well Award is so important and why each year we like to showcase the wonderful stories of dogs who have provided emotional support simply by being there.”
Dogs like Polo from Bedford who won the 2022 Woof & Well Award after becoming a therapy dog with charity Pets As Therapy https://petsastherapy.org. Polo, a Labradoodle, was adopted by Gillian Thompson in 2011 when he was 20 months old. It soon became apparent that he had something very special.
Both Polo and Gillian were assessed by Pets As Therapy and Polo passed his assessment as a therapy dog with flying colours and now regularly visits children in schools. Thinking about Polo’s personality, Gillian said, “I very quickly realised that Polo had amazing qualities. He showed great empathy towards humans, particularly when they were in distress. I felt I needed to utilise these qualities. With his kind, gentle approach, he can calm and comfort children in times of distress. He reassures them and restores their confidence. The magic of Polo works time and time again and I am incredibly proud of him.”
The Vet’s Kitchen Woof and Well Award is looking for tales of everyday canine heroism from owners who want to thank their dog for helping them and their family feel better; dogs who have proven their worth as part of a family or the wider community. Dogs like Polo who are a little bit special.
All entries will be judged by the expert team at Vet’s Kitchen including Fiona Firth, the Vet’s Kitchen Nutritionist who owns two dogs Theo and Yogi. She says, “At Vet’s Kitchen we recognise that the bond between dog and owner is a powerful one and speaking from experience I wouldn’t be without my dogs. They really are wonderful companions.”
To enter go to: https://vetskitchen.co.uk/pages/woofandwell
Three top dogs will receive a medal – Gold, Silver or Bronze – and a year’s supply of Vet’s Kitchen dry dog food*
The competition launches on 9th March and remains open until 31st July 2023.
*Full T&Cs at https://vetskitchen.co.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions
