IT really is a dog’s life for a home care company’s two newest apprentices.

That’s because the apprentices are Labradors JJ and Asha who are in training to become Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs.

The dogs belong to Michelle Jackson, managing director of Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland), a home care company which provides home care and support services to people across the East Cleveland and Middlesbrough area.

Until recently, brother and sister JJ and Asha were taken to the homes of customers who had requested to see them as part of a new initiative launched by Caremark called ‘Therapy Tuesday’.

Whilst this has been suspended due to the present Covid-19 restrictions, the dogs will return as soon as it is safe to do so.

Michelle said: “I already have an older Labrador, Acer, who has met many of our customers over the years when they have come to our offices or when we have held events in the community.

“They always gravitate to Acer so when I got JJ and Asha, I thought it would be a good idea to train them to become PAT dogs.

“They need to be a year old before they become registered PAT dogs so they are still in training, or the apprentices as we refer to them in the office.

“The reaction we had to them from our customers was fantastic and we’re looking forward to being able to reintroduce them again at an appropriate, and safe time.”

Research has shown pet therapy to have numerous benefits, such as helping with physical and mental health issues, reducing stress and high blood pressure, increasing verbal communication, and developing social skills.

Michelle added: “We provide home care services for a range of people, young and old, and all could potentially benefit from having a visit from JJ and Asha.

“Labradors in particular make perfect therapy dogs because they are easy to train and have a lovely nature.”