Wag and Company was established because loneliness and social isolation are chronic problems in the elderly in the North East. An estimated 50,000 pensioners in the region are chronically lonely and are 50% more likely to die prematurely than people with good social networks. This means loneliness is as big a mortality risk as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Many are dog lovers and when they ask for a furry friend from Wag & Company, they get a two legged one at the same time! Over 401 Visiting Wag Teams are currently making the difference, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, down to Stokesley, across to Haltwhistle and pretty much everywhere in between.

I've decided to run for Wag & Company because our chocolate Labrador Ben and I started to volunteer for WAG in 2019 and have both made a firm friend in the lovely lady Jenny who we visit. She has had dogs all her life including many guide dog puppies but can no longer look after a dog of her own.  She knows exactly how to handle Ben and they love seeing each other! Ben also helps interview new candidates from time to time and there are lots of wonderful dogs and owners keen to get visiting. WAG always have a waiting list of clients and anyone who has owned a dog can imagine how tough it must be when you realise that this is no longer something that you can do. The work that WAG does helps hundreds of older people in this position either in their own homes or in care homes.