OWNERS of friendly, calm dogs are being sought to visit the elderly and younger people with special needs around Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Verwood.

Caring Canines volunteers and their four-legged friends visit all ages to provide companionship and therapy. Care homes, hospitals, schools and nurseries are among those who are lucky enough to be visited by volunteers from the local charity.

Their list of venues in the Forest include the lunch club at Ringwood’s Trinity Church, the Sheiling School and St Leonard’s Hospital, Verwood Opportunity Centre and the Waterloo Care Home and Chaseborough Rest Home in Three Legged Cross.

Liz Oakenfold, who visits the Chaseborough Rest Home with her golden retriever Heidi, said: “The dogs’ visits make the residents’ day – their eyes light up when they see Heidi coming along and they all want to say hello to her.

“The visits are all about making the difference to people who have probably had dogs in the past and now welcome the renewed contact.”

The charity was founded by Sue Dennett and Julie Lankshear in 2006 and currently has 114 volunteers with 135 dogs, who visit 98 venues from Ringwood to Bournemouth.

Their innovative Reading to Dogs programme, where volunteers go into schools, has helped children with problems with literacy or self-confidence – their reading has improved by reading to the pets rather than their teachers.

Elderly people or those with health problems are also helped by visits from volunteers.

“The dogs are a therapeutic tool” said Julie. “If someone has had a stroke, we often position the dogs so they have to use their weakest side to interact with them.

“Similarly, in special schools, students are given responsibility for ensuring the dogs have water and anything else they need.”

Anyone who owns a dog can volunteer but must be willing to give up at least one hour per month. All owners are interviewed and dogs are assessed to ensure they have the right temperament.

The next fundraising event is a charity gala evening featuring top Elvis tribute artist Garry J Foley. For just £25, guests will receive a two-course curry meal, entertainment from ‘Elvis’ and swing and soul acts Willard Ford and Alexis, and a disco.

The fun starts at 7pm at The Balfour Suite at AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Court stadium in Kings Park, Bournemouth.

Contact Mrs Lankshear on 01202 579744 or at caringcanines@btinternet.com to buy tickets or to volunteer.