Pets As Therapy, the largest charity of its kind in Europe, continues to bring comfort, companionship and healing to more than 100,000 patients every week. However, it could not do this without the help of registered volunteers and their pets.

Since its beginning 25 years ago, more than 20,000 dogs have been registered by Pets As Therapy, and today there are about 3,700 active visiting PAT dogs and 100 PAT cats at work in the UK.

The majority of volunteers make visits to nursing and residential care homes, which number in excess of 4,000. They also visit nearly 3,000 hospices, hospitals, special and mainstream schools and day care centres.

Volunteers also often work alongside occupational, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, encouraging mobility, improving speech and helping to reduce anxiety.

Yet another role is working alongside clinical psychologists during treatment for those suffering debilitating dog phobias.

Just one study in the North East, which evaluated the effectiveness of Pets As Therapy volunteers in such treatment, saved the NHS between £950 and £1,500. Given that volunteers work across the whole of the UK, this represents a potential huge saving to the NHS.

Dr Nigel Trevarrow, clinical psychologist from Sunderland Royal Hospital, said: "Pets As Therapy has played a fundamental role in the treatment of children with dog phobias. The children increasingly avoid dogs, which can lead to them remaining at home.

"Consequently, they are unable to live a 'normal life', and cannot go for walks, visit parks or shops. This can lead to isolation from peers and, if left untreated, phobias can lead to further mental health difficulties such as depression.

"Pets As Therapy have improved the psychological and emotional well-being of all the children they have worked with."

The chief executive of Pets As Therapy, Maureen Hennis, said: "For the last 25 years, volunteers and their registered dogs and cats have undertaken a huge amount of work in the community, with remarkable results.

"These volunteers are very valued by the charity. They really are unsung heroes."

If you would like to see Pets As Therapy in action go to www.petsastherapy.org/media and watch a short film.

For further details visit www.petsastherapy.org or contact the Pets As Therapy registration office on 01844 345445.