Meet my dog
Lake and Lacee
We speak to Lorna Cowan about Pets As Therapy dog Lacee, and how she has helped a young boy overcome his fear of dogs.
Q Tell us a little bit about Lake…
Lake is a caring and loving 10-year-old boy, with two sisters and a brother. He’s in Year 6 at Ludham Primary School in Norfolk and plays football for Ormesby Youth FC U12s.
Q When did Lake first meet Lacee, the Pets As Therapy dog? And what difference has she made to Lake’s life?
Lake met Lacee in 2022 at an October half-term community event. At first he was too scared to even enter the room, due to a phobia he has developed following a vicious attack by a dog.With some encouragement he met Wendy, a PAT volunteer, and her lovely therapy dog Lacee. After a few hours, Lake was sitting on the floor with Lacee snuggled in his lap.
Q What does a typical day look like for a PAT Dog?
PAT Dogs are well-behaved, friendly pets who volunteer with their owners.They visit lots of different places, including schools, hospitals and residential care homes, and cheer up everyone they meet. Some people may be feeling anxious or lonely. Others may be missing their own dog. Stroking a PAT Dog, and perhaps even giving it a cuddle, always helps.
Q Tell us about the ways in which PAT Dog Lacee has helped Lake…
Thanks to Wendy and therapy dog Lacee, Lake has started to rebuild trust in some dogs.The relationship he now has with Lacee is immense. It’s pretty difficult to describe just what this wonderful PAT team have done for all the family.
Q Does Lacee have any other special skills?
Lacee protects Lake if other dogs get too close. She knows Lake so well and will move herself around to protect him. For a dog that we do not own, their bond is unbreakable.