The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has selected The Mayhew’s TheraPaws project as its charity partner for 2015.

TheraPaws is a community initiative run by The Mayhew which promotes emotional and physical wellbeing for elderly people suffering from Dementia. A video showing the work of TheraPaws was also launched at a NOAH dinner in Central London on 21 May. NOAH Chair, Cat Sayer, said: “NOAH’s Pet Event held in the House of Lords in January highlighted how important animals are, supporting the health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people. TheraPaws exhibited at that event and the value of its work left a big impression. The programme enables people to feel the benefit that animals can bring, even when they are unable to keep an pet  themselves.

Luke Berman, TheraPaws Project Manager added: “When NOAH said they were nominating The Mayhew Animal Home and specifically TheraPaws as their chosen charity of the year I was so overwhelmed with joy, pride and excitement. Through the TheraPaws programme human and animal volunteers visit care & resident homes, day centres and palliative care units to engage with people who are suffering with dementia, loneliness, depression and life threatening diseases. It’s a welcome lifeline for them.”

A prize draw was also held for TheraPaws, which will also receive a £1 donation from sales of the 2016 edition of the NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets.