Patient pooches and dedicated dogs are enriching the lives of local people following the launch of an innovative new project.

The recently formed Pembrokeshire Health and Wellbeing Project aims to improve the lives of people in hospitals, care homes and other organisations by offering interaction with specially chosen dogs.

A growing number of caring canines are spreading smiles, support and sunshine among the most vulnerable in Pembrokeshire’s communities, including the elderly and unwell, thanks to this new scheme.

The special therapeutic qualities of these friendly four-legged visitors can help promote physical, psychological and social wellbeing, and canine companionship sessions can encourage socialisation and exercise.

Founding director Kylene Rafferty said: “Dogs can really help people and enrich their lives.

We like to think that the dogs bring in a bit of sunshine. They can make so much difference on social, psychological and physical levels. There is so much demand for this service.”

The project was set up to improve the lives of people in Pembrokeshire through animal interaction, time outside, exercise, befriending and animal assisted therapy, by offering time with well-behaved dogs.

Volunteer David Menday and his German Shepherd Chika regularly spend time with dementia patients in Withybush hospital, and it is hoped that the project will develop to include more dogs and volunteers.

The dogs have to be suitable for the work and meet certain criteria, but there are a number of different roles for volunteer helpers wanting to assist the organisation.

Kylene said: “The wellbeing of the dogs is of paramount importance. They can be great at home, but be overwhelmed when they go into a totally new environment like a hospital with all the different sights and smells, so they have to meet a strict criteria.

“We know that there are some amazing people and dogs out there, we just need to find them.”

To find out more about the project, volunteering, or to make a donation visit healthandwellbeingdogs.co.uk, or follow the organisation on Facebook.