Betknowmore UK are delighted to announce plans to work with Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs and provide emotional and psychological support to individuals on their gambling harm recovery journey, as well as supporting staff wellbeing and attending outreach events.

The partnership follows a successful visit from Pollyanna, a three-year-old Golden Retriever, to the Betknowmore UK three-day staff symposium at Keele University in September, where her owner Ann Slater, a volunteer with Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs who also works as the Quality Assurance Manager at Betknowmore UK, gave a talk to staff about the work they do to enhance wellbeing and social inclusion by utilising the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs and their team of 50-plus volunteers visit a variety of settings, including hospitals, residential homes, schools, and specialist units. Collaborating with occupational therapists, teachers, support workers, and families, this small charity helps alleviate loneliness, improve mental health, and assist individuals experiencing life-limiting or life-changing conditions.

Harmful gambling often results in severe social isolation, emotional distress, and mental health challenges that act as barriers to recovery. Many of these issues, including social isolation, anxiety, and depression, can be effectively addressed through animal-assisted therapy.

Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs Founder Sue Smith said, “So many people of all ages benefit every week from the visits provided by our volunteers and their dogs.  

“We look forward to working with the Betknowmore UK team and focusing on an often forgotten group of people and understanding how we can support them moving forward.”

Betknowmore UK CEO and Founder Frankie Graham added, “I had limited previous experience with therapy dogs and pets. I was impressed by Ann’s fantastic presentation at our recent staff symposium, and even more so by the impact that Pollyanna had on everyone. There was overwhelming support for the proposal of a new partnership to aid the important work of Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs.  

“Therapy dogs provide joy, comfort and companionship, and I am really excited to see how they can complement the incredible work the Betknowmore UK team is already doing to support people who are experiencing gambling harms.”

To find out more about Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs, click here.