Blue Monday, which fell on 15 January this year, is said to be the most depressing day of the year. While the formula used to come to this conclusion is widely considered pseudoscience Mondays are hardly the happiest day of any week – and who would pass up an excuse to have a few therapy dogs visiting at work?
Workers at cruelty-free cosmetics brand Smashbox were delighted to welcome a team of Mayhew’s TheraPaws dogs in their workplace in central London. The volunteers were Deborah with her dog Noodle, Claire with Roobarb, and Jude with Alfie.
“The TheraPaws dogs are a part of Mayhew’s visiting animal therapy programme, which recognises the mutual benefits of animals engaging with people, particularly older people with dementia, helping to improve the relationships between humans and dogs,” London-based charity Mayhew states. “As well as enhancing people’s lives by helping to reduce social isolation, stress and anxiety, the initiative also helps animals by raising awareness of the positive effects dogs can have, including promoting respect and compassion towards animals.”
Communications Manager of Smashbox, Nicola Thornton, said, “It was lovely to see the dogs spreading so much joy and happiness to colleagues on Blue Monday. Mayhew’s TheraPaws programme is a great initiative and the dogs were adorable – we didn’t want them to leave!”
After bringing plenty of smiles and posing for pictures, the TheraPaws dogs were all too happy to take a break.
At present, there are just over 50 active teams of TheraPaws volunteers who regularly visits to care homes, day centres, hospices and hospitals across London boroughs. Information to request a visit – or to apply to join the team with your dog! – you can be found on Mayhew’s