PEACE (Pet and Companion)

Founded in Aberdeen at the end of 2016, Pet and Companion (PEACE) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) providing Pastoral Care along with Canine Therapy to people in need of support and companionship, particularly: the elderly; patients receiving end of life care; students during stressful periods; and vulnerable women.

Our aim is to help alleviate the loneliness and isolation experienced by many of those we visit, and thereby improve people’s mental health and general well-being. Our vision is to have PEACE Teams of pastoral carers and their therapy dogs visiting people in need of support in Care Homes, hospitals, hospices and University/college campuses all over Scotland.

Dogs have been our companions for hundreds of years.  Most breeds have developed over the years to become wonderful family pets. Studies show that the presence of a dog can help reduce an individual’s heart rate and anxiety levels, especially whilst stroking the animal. This calming ability is the basis of canine therapy.  Therapy dogs are taken to visit individuals who could benefit from a relaxing environment, and from the positive distraction that the animals create.