Pets As Therapy Trustees are volunteers who bring a wide range of knowledge, expertise and experience to our Charity. They advise and assist with decision making and approve our Strategic and Business Plans, as well as our Annual Budget.
"PAT Teams touch thousands of lives through practical therapy and it is a privilege to help." Sarah (PAT Trustee)
PAT trusteeship for me combines a long-time interest in reading development and a love of and respect for animals and their relationships with people. PAT Teams touch thousands of lives through practical therapy and it is a privilege to help. My business experience spans operations and commercial management for the National Trust, the business consultancy McKinsey and in legal services provision. I have also been a school librarian and literacy coach. Pro bono work includes leading an active 7,000-member alumni association, being a development adviser for an FE college and special adviser to a National Trust Regional Committee. I’ve launched a humanitarian work bursary scheme for students and helped to rebuild a derelict village hall. I am training as a PAT Assessor in memory of our family black Labrador.
I am delighted to serve as a Trustee for Pets As Therapy, combing my passion for fundraising, changing people’s lives for the better, positively impacting young and older people with the joy, calm and love that the touch of a pet can bring. I know and have seen how the unconditional love and trust that an animal can convey has an immeasurable impact on our mental and physical health. As a child I read aloud to my cat helping me develop my love of reading and supporting my challenges with dyslexia. Just the ability to touch a pet brings calm, dispels loneliness and develops connections and memories that have a lasting positive impact on PAT service users. As a senior fundraising professional working in the sector for over 15 years, I aim to bring support for PAT in developing their fundraising sustainability and growth, enabling PAT to reach more of those in need across all communities. When not involved in fundraising work I love to travel, craft, read or walk in the UK’s wonderful nature.
I am excited to be a Trustee for Pets As Therapy as I am passionate about animal welfare and believe in the positive impact that therapy animals can have on peoples’ lives. I am dedicated to making a difference to the community by ensuring that everyone is able to have the opportunity to experience the companionship of a friendly pet for their wellbeing, both physical and mental. As a seasoned senior finance professional with over 20 years’ experience, I have worked with a range of organisations and understand the unique challenges and opportunities that they face. Pets As Therapy provides an innovative approach to addressing mental health issues and improving the quality of life for those who are struggling. It truly is a privilege to work for this charity which touches the lives of thousands of people.
I’m a qualified accountant and hold an MBA from Cranfield University. During my time with The Linde Group, I held several senior finance roles in the US, UK, Ireland and South Africa. For the past six years, I have worked in the not-for-profit/professional body sector as Chief Operating Officer for CIPS and AAT. I am now deputy CEO of The Royal Kennel Club. My career includes over 20 years’ experience in business transformation, strategy and cultural development.
I am delighted to be a Trustee for Pets As Therapy as I understand how animals can have a profound impact on people’s lives having worked in animal activities for the past nine years. I have a range of experience across my career working in the not-for-profit, charity, public sector, as well as the private sector. I am currently Chief Executive of the Hurlingham Polo Association, the national governing body of the sport of polo in the UK and Ireland. Previously, I was the Director of Operations for Riding for the Disabled Association, an organisation that enables some 25,000 disabled people to benefit from a wide range of activities with horses and ponies. The first 15 years of my career I worked in the environmental sector in consultancy, for the National Farmers’ Union and latterly for the Environment Agency. I then changed career, working for British Equestrian, the national governing body for equestrian sport, with the aim of getting more people involved in equestrian sport more often. I live in Northamptonshire and can be mainly found outdoors, on a horse or walking the many footpaths with my husband and our rescue border collie.
It’s a huge privilege to be a Trustee for Pets As Therapy and I’m looking forward to developing and shaping PAT alongside the Board, staff team and volunteers. I'm passionate about volunteering; it’s had a positive impact in my own life and to be able to do it with a much-loved pet adds an extra dimension of pleasure. I have had a wide and varied career which has the common thread of supporting people whether that’s children and families or older people so I can see huge benefits to the work of PAT Teams in their communities. I’ve volunteered in a wide variety of roles for youth work, homelessness and wellbeing charities and I hope to use this experience to stand PAT in good stead for the next 40 years. In my spare time I enjoy agility training with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Luca, cooking and running a book club for fans of crime fiction.
I'm thrilled to serve as a Trustee, which combines my passions for health and the sheer delight of pets. Pets As Therapy uniquely blends evidence-based therapeutic interventions, for better outcomes, with joy and happiness; who can resist a wagging tail? I've witnessed the benefits of Pets As Therapy first-hand in my 25-year NHS career, which spans roles from hospital management to regional NHS planning and purchasing, leading front-line improvement programmes, and national healthcare policy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I'd the honour of leading the North East and Yorkshire Vaccination Programme. Currently I’m responsible for oversight and improvement of general practice across England. I am a proud northerner, lucky enough to enjoy Yorkshire with my husband and, until recently, Snoopy, our fabulous Jack Russell.
I became a PAT Volunteer with my Standard Poodle Max in 2019 and the visits we make to our local hospital have become a regular feature of our lives. I’m fortunate to witness first-hand the huge and positive impact that Max and the other PAT Dogs have on the experience of patients, relatives, friends and staff, and the enormous therapeutic benefit that such visits bring. The unique difference that Pets As Therapy, as well as its volunteers and staff, make to the lives of thousands of people across the UK means it’s a privilege to be able to work for and support this fine Charity. We live in Surrey, close to the river and Richmond and Bushy Parks, where there are plenty of opportunities for us to walk and explore.
I’ve been a nurse for 37 years and have worked in many areas of mental health services, including CAMHS and dementia services, and I’ve witnessed the power of animal-assisted therapy. After seeing a PAT Dog - a Labrador called George - at work in an older people’s ward, I decided to become a PAT Volunteer. I live in Cwmgiedd in South Wales and have three giant dogs - a St Bernard, a Newfoundland and a Great Dane. They all take it in turns to accompany me to work as Director of a charity that works with adults in recovery from addiction.
I worked for Guide Dogs for over 30 years and saw first-hand the benefits of the human-animal bond – how the relationships between people and animals can improve confidence, self-esteem, encourage interaction with others and promote positive mental wellbeing and reduce loneliness. In 2018 I became a volunteer for Pets As Therapy and my dog Tommy and I are part of the Read2Dogs scheme. At every visit I am constantly amazed at the interaction between Tommy and the students and how this can support those who may be struggling with school life. Earlier this year I was privileged to become a Trustee and hope that my experience and skills can support the growth of this amazing Charity. I live in Warwick and enjoy travel, keeping fit, photography and walking the dog.
I joined Pets As Therapy as a Trustee in late 2021 as I’m passionate about improving mental health and how this can be achieved through the companionship of animals. In my professional career I have worked in Information Technology for over 30 years and currently head up IT at a global medical technology company. Much of my time is focused on how we use digital technologies to improve patient and employee experiences, become more efficient and protect personal data. As a Trustee I hope to use this experience to help strengthen PAT’s capabilities. I live in Berkshire with my wife, two daughters and Fifi – our miniature Labradoodle. When I’m not working, I love to spend time with my family and walking Fifi in the local countryside.
Whether you are a potential volunteer, a corporate sponsor or you’d like to take part in an event and raise money for Pets As Therapy, get in touch.
