Volunteers' Week 2025: Jenny's story

Volunteers’ Week 2025: Jenny’s story

It's Volunteers' Week and we're celebrating. Some of our dedicated volunteers have been part of the PAT pack for many years.

Jenny Whitfield from Somerset became a Volunteer Area Coordinator in 1990. She is now an Assessor and also visits with Rusty, her eighth PAT Dog.

Please tell us more about your volunteering journey

I joined PAT back in the 1970s/80s but couldn't find a placement where I lived in Birmingham. Then I moved to Somerset in 1990 and rang Head Office to enquire about my local Area Coordinator. When I put the receiver down I realised I was now the VAC for Somerset!

I gave up that role a while ago, but I'm still a visiting PAT Volunteer, as well as an Assessor.

You've owned many PAT Dogs

Yes, Rusty is my eighth PAT Dog and is now nine years old. Being a Sheltie, he is calm and quiet. All my PAT Dogs have been Shetland Sheepdogs.

I started visiting a care home on a regular basis with my dog Cinders, and also went there with Shadow and Brandy. After getting a call from Musgrove Park Hospital I started visiting the stroke ward and elderly persons unit as well, where I still visit. Rusty sits on the bed with the patients and takes all the fuss given. The staff also come to say hello and give him a cuddle.

Daisy was my fifth Musgrove visitor and won a Musgrove Award for Tremendous Achievement (MAFTA), of which I am very proud.

I also took Sherry to a local primary school and helped children to read as part of the Read2Dogs scheme.

What does volunteering with PAT mean to you?

Although visiting can be tiring for me as the years roll by, it’s very rewarding to see people smile when they meet Rusty, especially if they are struggling with their current situation. It seems to help chatting to someone, a complete stranger, about all sorts of things – from the weather to where they live and what they do and their own pets at home or in the past.

Why do you think others should volunteer with PAT?

It’s very rewarding and if you can make someone smile and brighten their day it’s a rich reward for giving a couple of hours of your time. It may be you in that hospital bed one day.

We are always looking to recruit more volunteers.

You can find more info here

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