They may not look like your usual choir, but these canine carers deserve a round of a-paws for their howling carolling efforts.
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin well and truly got into the Christmas spirit on Tuesday by inviting Santa’s little yelpers to a special Peata therapy dog carol service.
Therapy and rescue dogs from all over Ireland were honoured by the church and blessed for the joy they bring to their owners and to people in care homes. Peata, a voluntary organisation and a registered charity, provides a pet therapy service to caring institutions.
From St Bernards to Jack Russells, dogs of all shapes and sizes tried to be on their best behaviour in the cathedral.
Valerie Olliffe from Kilnamanagh in Dublin sat beside her six-yearold Maltese Shiatsu Coco as the carol service went on.
She said: ‘Coco is my husband’s therapy dog and I bring him out everywhere. We take him as well to see my sister in the Maynooth Lodge nursing home. The people there just love to see him.’
Speaking about the service, Ms Olliffe added: ‘It’s lovely to get all of the dogs here today at this carol service to meet each other and it gives you a lovely Christmas feeling. It’s just brilliant. It gives you a wonderful feeling inside. It’s my third time attending here.’
Deirdre Murphy O’Reilly, from Lusk in Dublin, was attending the Peata carol service for the tenth time. She came along with her six-year-old Leonberger called Magic, who weighs ten-and-a-half stone ‘Magic’s breed is known for being a gentle giant and he certainly is. He’s the fourth one we’ve had. He’s a trained therapy dog and we bring him to care homes and to Trinity College for the welfare of students. People love to pet him,’ she said.
Dublin-based charity Peata Pet Therapy introduced its medically supported service in Ireland back in 1996.
The organisation says that pets have been shown to benefit people’s health and wellbeing, particularly people in nursing homes, hospitals and hospices.
Peata’s dog-visiting scheme involves approved volunteers and their dogs, who generally pay weekly visits.
All of the funds raised from Tuesday’s carolling event will go towards Peata’s services.
