From inside the community Who are the Essex Therapy Dogs Team? The Essex Therapy Dogs team are a passionate group of people who voluntarily give their time to make everything work. Founder, Tina Jullings, leads the team, with Lorraine Joy as the membership secretary. Claire Taylor the treasurer; Cathy Adams the social media expert, Pauline Coverley the events coordinator and Mandy Johnson as the team secretary. The group also have area co-ordinations in Colchester, Braintree, Southend, and Chelmsford who meet up with prospective new members to assess their dogs. There are also monthly dog walks in these areas as well. Thinking of joining - what makes a good therapy dog? Dogs are assessed on their temperament and ability to walk nicely on the lead, not jump up and take treats gently. The dog should be at least a year old and be of a calm and friendly nature. They should also be fully vaccinated. Essex Therapy Dogs have dogs of all breeds, there are big and small ones and some are rescues. There are pure, mixed, and designer breeds. They just need to be calm and be able to cope with lots of fuss. What does becoming a member of the Essex Therapy Dogs team involve, and how much does it cost? Members should ideally be available to visit an establishment for an hour each week (this can be flexible). There is a membership fee of £20 a year for one dog / one owner, or £25 for more than one dog / owner. For this, members receive a membership pack which includes £5m public liability insurance, an ID badge, sew-on badge, and a kerchief for your dog. There is also an online shop where members can purchase polo shirts, bags, and jackets at reasonable prices. Where can I find out more? If you are interested in finding out more, either to join or request a dog visit, please complete the form on the Essex Therapy Dogs website by CLICKING HERE Essex Therapy Dogs can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. If you have a dog who you think is suitable and have a little free time, why not get in touch. 33
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