Service users play Santa Paws for charity cats and dogs

Service users on Newhaven ward have made a furry kind gesture for local animals in need just in time for Christmas.

Staff and service users on the Wakefield learning disability ward recognise the positive benefits that spending time with animals has on mental wellbeing and mood, having enjoyed regular visits from the Trust’s canine befrienders.

Combined with their much-anticipated visits to Wakefield Riding for the Disabled to muck in with the horses and to Wakefield RSPCA to walk the dogs, the service users wanted to give something back to the animals this festive period.

They decided on a ‘shoe box appeal’, where gifts are collected in a small box. The service users each decorated a shoe box, and supported by the occupational therapy team, visited the local pet shop in Wakefield city centre. They carefully picked out food, toys and treats for both cats and dogs to create their box of pet presents.

The service users then visited Wakefield RSPCA to hand-deliver their Christmas collections. While at the centre, they spent time petting and treating Hallie the border collie, and comforting the cats in the sanctuary. All the service users were able to personally gift the animals a Christmas present they had bought themselves from their boxes.

Therapy support worker Alice Wood said: “Our service users left the RSPCA feeling very fulfilled that they had made a kind gesture this Christmas and were happy that the animals enjoyed the gifts they had bought for them.”