Rescue dogs team up with women’s community group to combat loneliness

Rescue dogs set off for an afternoon of adventures with a women’s community group on a joint walk to help combat loneliness last weekend.

Battersea’s Dogs and Cats Home staff put on their trainers, packed up their tennis balls and headed off to Battersea Park on Saturday, with rescue dogs at their side.

The charity’s dogs walked alongside members of the Lonely Girls Club community, offering an opportunity for women to connect with other people living in the area and make new friends – both human and canine.

Rebecca Verne, centre manager at Battersea, said: “Our dogs had a great time exploring in the park and meeting community members from the Lonely Girls Club for a sunny afternoon stroll.

“Getting out in nature is important not only for our well-being as humans, but is also a vital part of keeping dogs happy, healthy and active.”

Recent research from Battersea found that 32 per cent of UK adults surveyed wanted to get a pet to stop them from being lonely, while 24 per cent of those surveyed said that they wanted a pet to get them walking more. 

Holly Cooke, founder of the Lonely Girls Club, said: “It was the most wholesome morning filled with so much laughter, friendship and new dog friends, too.”

To support Battersea and find out more, get involved by visiting Battersea’s website or by searching ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ #WearBlueforRescue. 

Pictured top: Lonely Girls Club attendees meet Battersea rescue dog Miley (Picture: Battersea’s Dogs and Cats Home)