THE therapeautic effect of animals on disabled, elderly and vulnerable people is well known.

But sadly people living in institutions often miss out on the joys of having a pet.

It prompted Sue Dennett and Julie Lankshear to set up Caring Canines, which visits care homes, hospitals, hospices, sheltered housing and special needs schools.

Caring Canines, which has run for almost three years, has 60 volunteers who travel out to venues with their animals, explains Sue.

Each are assessed before being given a venue to visit to ensure their temperament matches what the location requires.

Members pay a £15 annual membership fee which covers things like insurance and paperwork and receive a quarterly newsletter.

The voluntary non-profit-making organisation, which includes Daily Echo editor Neal Butterworth among its honorary members, is currently on the lookout for volunteers to visit establishments in the Meyrick Park and Cemetery Junction areas of Bournemouth.

Sue said: “We have three nursing homes that would love a visiting dog and are looking for three very special volunteers.”

Sue has personally witnessed the amazing effect the dogs have on the people they visit.

She said: “We have one volunteer that visits a nursing home and she goes on to the Alzheimer’s unit.

“There is one chap who will immediately sit up when he sees the dog and lean forward to encourage the dog to go to him.

“The dog is the only one he ever responds to.

“The change was so marked that the staff were coming in to have a look.

“We’ve got a day centre and one lady will only go on the day the dog goes in.

“We also go to a special children’s centre where the children are encouraged to try and talk through their feelings with the dog.

“The staff are in close proximity trying to hear what they share with the dog,” added Sue.

Would-be volunteers can ring Julie Lankshear on 01202 579744 or visit the website at: caringK9s.webeden.co.uk.