Spreading Joy, One Cuddle at a Time!
Supporting Edinburgh Seniors with Joyful Connections
Welcome to Therapy Pets, Edinburgh’s heartfelt provider of companionship and pet care, dedicated to bringing smiles to seniors, pet owners, and communities throughout the city. Our mission is to combat loneliness, boost well-being, and support independence through friendship and the therapeutic power of animals.
Whether it’s a warm chat with a senior, a cuddle with a therapy guinea pig, or a walk for your dog, we’re here to make every moment meaningful in Edinburgh’s vibrant seniors.
From care homes to corporate offices, from seniors’ homes to pet-filled households, Therapy Pets creates experiences that enhance emotional, cognitive, and physical health.
We’re proud to serve our city with compassion, reliability, and a commitment to making every day brighter for people and their pets.
A Mission Born from Love and Healing
Therapy Pets was founded with a deeply personal vision: to harness the healing power of animals to bring joy and comfort to those who need it most. Our story begins with Craig, our dedicated handler and an Edinburgh native, who, over the past six years, lost four cherished friends and family members to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Driven by these profound losses, Craig sought to give back to his community, channeling his grief into a mission to create moments of connection and happiness through animal-assisted therapy.
This vision came to life in Edinburgh’s care homes, where Craig, alongside our Superstar Therapy Dog Doctor Watson and our charming therapy guinea pigs—Frank, George, Ringo, and Elvis—brought smiles to residents living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, brain injuries, strokes, autism, and other disabilities. The joy sparked by these visits was transformative, inspiring us to expand our reach. Today, Therapy Pets offers a variety of services: Care Home Visits, Companionship Care for seniors and Dog Walking and Pop-Ins for pet owners, both led by Craig, whose warmth and commitment make every interaction special.
Our impact extends beyond homes and care settings. Through our wellness program, Pawsitivity, we bring the therapeutic magic of our animals to corporate offices and universities, helping reduce stress, boost morale, and foster connection. From the heart of Edinburgh to Livingston, Glenrothes, and even Glasgow, Therapy Pets is a trusted partner in care, delivering cuddles and companionship that make a difference across Scotland.
The Heart of Therapy Pets
At Therapy Pets, our team human and furry works together to deliver care that’s as joyful as it is reliable. Meet the stars who make it all happen:
Craig - Our Edinburgh Companion
Craig is the heart of Therapy Pets, a born-and-bred Edinburgh gent with a knack for brightening days. DBS-certified for your peace of mind, he’s equally at home sharing a blether over a cuppa, challenging a senior to a Scrabble match, walking a dog through the Meadows, or scooping cat litter. His love for board games adds fun to companionship visits, while his practical skills - like bed changing and hoovering - make life easier for seniors. Craig’s warmth and reliability make him a trusted friend to both people and pets across Edinburgh.
Superstar Therapy Dog - Doctor Watson
Say hello to Doctor Watson, our charming 9-year-old Samoyed and Rough Collie mix, and the fluffy heart of Therapy Pets! With his soulful eyes and gentle spirit, Doc is the ultimate cuddle buddy, melting hearts with every wag of his tail.
As a certified therapy dog, he’s a cornerstone of our Care Home Visits and our Companionship Care Service and is available to join our Dog Walking Service if it helps socialise your dog, spreading joy to seniors and pets alike.
Standing proudly at waist height, this big boy is perfectly positioned for wheelchair users to enjoy his warm snuggles, ensuring everyone can share in his magic.
Doc loves being petted, accepts treats with polite manners, and thrives on meeting new friends - human and furry. His non-judgmental love helps reduce loneliness for widowers, widows, and seniors, while boosting cognitive and sensory skills for those with dementia or disabilities.
Check out his Puppy Album to see his transformation from fluffy pup to Edinburgh’s favourite therapy dog!
DOCTOR WATSON
Meet The Fab-Fur-Four
Therapy Guinea Pigs – Frank, George, Ringo, and Elvis
Don’t let their small size fool you - our therapy guinea pigs, Frank, George, Ringo, and Elvis, pack a big emotional punch! These pint-sized pals are trained to provide therapeutic connection, bringing playful squeaks and cosy snuggles to care homes, seniors’ homes, and pet care visits. Thanks to dedicated handling training, they relish being pampered, making them perfect for stroking, brushing, and feeding during visits. Each guinea pig has a unique personality and background:
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FRANK: An Abyssinian guinea pig with roots in the historic Incan regions, Frank sports distinctive fur rosettes that give him a one-of-a-kind look. His calm demeanour and love for cuddles make him a favourite among seniors with dementia.
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GEORGE: Another Abyssinian, George’s rosette-covered coat and curious nature bring a spark of joy to every visit. He’s always ready for a gentle brush or a tasty treat, delighting widowers and widows.
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RINGO: Our Crested Guinea Pig, Ringo boasts a short-haired coat topped with a delightful crown on his head. His playful energy and friendly squeaks make him a hit in care homes and corporate settings.
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ELVIS: A stunning Peruvian guinea pig from the Andes, Elvis rocks a signature Presley-inspired cowlick quiff. His bold personality and love for snuggles make him a star for seniors and pet owners alike.
GEORGE & RINGO
ELVIS & FRANK
Whether they’re comforting a senior or providing well-being to stressed out corporates, these furry ambassadors enhance emotional and cognitive well-being with every squeak.
How We Work
At Therapy Pets, we believe in providing a rewarding Therapy Pet experience tailored to your needs. Before we finalise any bookings, we take the time to explain our services in detail so that your expectations are met. This initial conversation - whether through a phone call or virtual meeting - also allows us to confirm availability and discuss any applicable costs, including travel fees.
For first-time visits, we have a few additional steps outlined in our Onboarding Process. This includes conducting a Risk Assessment, completing Consent Forms, and establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). To ensure a safe and healthy therapy session, we will provide you with copies of our current DBS checks and our policies regarding the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults.
Our commitment to each other is essential, and having the necessary legal documentation in place helps us achieve a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved.
Nostalgic Tunes to Enrich Your Experience
We enhance our therapy sessions by bringing along a retro record player that spins beloved classics from artists like The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley. Originally introduced to help pass the time while waiting for turns, the music has become a wonderful source of memory stimulation and ignites engaging conversations. Many of our clients have even been inspired to dance along, making each session not just therapeutic but truly memorable!
Art Therapy: Keeping the Creativity Alive
At Therapy Pets, we believe that the fun of creativity shouldn't end when our therapy sessions conclude. That’s why we provide novelty colouring sheets for you to photocopy, allowing you to extend the art therapy experience at home.
Benefits of Continuing Art Activities:
Enhanced Creativity: Colouring stimulates the imagination, encouraging artistic expression and new discoveries.
Stress Relief: The calming nature of colouring promotes relaxation and helps reduce anxiety.
Memory Stimulation: Engaging with colours and designs can boost memory recall and spark meaningful conversations.
Social Interaction: Colouring together fosters connections and provides opportunities for shared experiences.
Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a colouring sheet instils a sense of achievement, boosting confidence and motivation.
With our novelty colouring sheets, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of art therapy long after we've left. Let your imagination run wild!
Let's Get the Ball Rolling...
Get in touch so we can start getting some dog love into the world and start changing lives!