In June 2023, Our Special Friends (OSF) received a referral from the Social Prescribing Link Worker for a lady, ‘Sally’ aged 69, who was unable to have her own dog but would love to go for walks with a volunteer and their dog.
Through OSF’s client assessment process, it was apparent that even though Sally lived with her husband she was feeling very lonely and isolated as they didn’t have any regular visitors. Sally had previously volunteered as a dog walker for the Cinnamon Trust, but since being diagnosed with osteoporosis could only go for short walks using her walking stick and could not walk a dog herself. She had lost both her sisters in a short space of time and was still grieving this loss. Unfortunately, due to her husband’s epilepsy and her own health issues she felt she hadn’t had time to access any bereavement support. As her husband wasn’t keen on dogs and Sally liked to go out walking, Sally preferred the idea of our Accompanied Dog Walking service, rather than having a volunteer and their dog visit her at home.
A newly recruited volunteer, ‘Rachel’, and her friendly Labrador ‘Bobby’ were identified as potentially suitable, so OSF arranged a Match Meeting between them with our Animal Companionship Coordinator present. Bobby was very well behaved and the perfect height for Sally to stroke and they enjoyed a steady 45 minute walk. Rachel and Sally also got on well and were both happy to meet for weekly walks on Monday afternoons. OSF also shared details of a local dog-friendly Wellbeing Walk as the meeting place was part of Sally, Rachel and Bobby’s’ usual route. We hope this will give Sally more connection to her local community and she may be able to form new friendships.
As part of our evaluation process, OSF sent Feedback Forms to Sally and Rachel. Sally told us about the difference the visits made: “My world seems brighter. Less isolated. Gave me something to look forward to.” Meanwhile, Rachel commented: “[Sally] is so lovely, and we enjoy our time together with Bobby.” In a recent case review, Sally said that she is “enjoying our walks together … [it’s] always good to see them … [Bobby is a] lovely dog [and] Lucy is very accommodating.”
