On Blue Monday (Monday 15th January), said to be the most depressing day of the year, Mayhew decided to bring some cheer to a beauty company with visits from some of our adorable TheraPaws dogs.

The TheraPaws dogs are a part of Mayhew’s visiting animal therapy programme, which recognises the mutual benefits of animals engaging with people, particularly older people with dementia, helping to improve the relationships between humans and dogs. As well as enhancing people’s lives by helping to reduce social isolation, stress and anxiety, the initiative also helps animals by raising awareness of the positive effects dogs can have, including promoting respect and compassion towards animals.

During the visit to the cruelty free cosmetics brand, Smashbox, TheraPaws volunteers, Deborah with her dog, Noodle, Claire with her dog, Roobarb, and Jude with her dog, Alfie, spent time meeting and engaging with employees from their head office in central London.

All eyes were on our TheraPaws dogs as they paraded in with their tails wagging ready for plenty of cuddles and fuss. And they weren’t disappointed as they were quickly rewarded with big smiles and lots of affection.

Communications Manager of Smashbox, Nicola Thornton, said: “It was lovely to see the dogs spreading so much joy and happiness to colleagues on Blue Monday.”

“Mayhew’s TheraPaws programme is a great initiative and the dogs were adorable – we didn’t want them to leave!”

At present, just over 50 teams of TheraPaws volunteers and their dogs spread happiness when they go on regular visits to care homes, day centres, hospices and hospitals across London boroughs including Kensington and Chelsea, Brent, and Westminster. With this initiative, we are determined to make a difference and improve the lives of the many people we visit, including on special occasions like Blue Monday.

After all the greetings and requests for photos and cuddles, our TheraPaws volunteers and their canine friends were ready for a well-deserved rest.

They certainly helped brighten up Smashbox’s Blue Monday!

To find out more about TheraPaws, please visit here or call 020 8962 8000. We rely entirely on generous donations from the public and don’t receive any lottery or government funding. To donate, please visit here.