Help elderly knit doggies for child witnesses
All materials can be dropped off at The Old People’s Home, located at 111 Howard Avenue, Benoni.
Comforting the young and old sparked the idea to launch the Covid Knitting Initiative, led by NPO Top Dogs, in partnership with The Old People’s Home, in Benoni.
The pandemic has left many elderly feeling lonely and depressed as visits by the family are not permitted, which is why the Top Dogs team thought it would be a great initiative to get the elderly involved with the organisation’s Court Preparation Programme.
This programme focuses on children from the ages of three to 18 who have been physically or sexually abused who may have to go to court to testify against their alleged abusers.
The Teddy Bear Foundation has a special monthly programme to help children prepare for this ordeal.
Denise Naudé, from the Top Dogs marketing team, said they help teach children about the court officials and processes in a fun and feel-good way.
At the same time, the therapy dogs help the children to heal, bringing love without judgement or threat and show them the way back to trust.
“The dogs are dressed up as the magistrate, the state prosecutor, the defence attorney and the court orderly (police officer).
“The children hold onto the therapy dogs as they practise in this mock session,” Denise explained.
Denise added that in a real courtroom the dogs can’t be present and this is where the organisation aims to give every child a knitted pup which will accompany them into the court.
“We would like each child to choose a dog of their own and then give them their very own cuddly version of that dog to remind them of love, smiles and courage,” she said.
With this in mind, the organisation approached The Old People’s Home to achieve a dual goal – to get the elderly involved in supporting children in the Court Preparation Programme and to help ease the loneliness and depression so many elderly may be experiencing by knitting for a good cause.
The organisation is appealing to the public to donate wool and stuffing material to make the initiative a success.
All materials can be dropped off at The Old People’s Home, located at 111 Howard Avenue, Benoni.
Due to Covid-19, no access will be granted so all donations (clearly marked for the attention of Carol Rennie) must be left with security and Carol will ensure all volunteers receive the wool donations.
If members of the public would like to donate to the Covid Knitting Initiative, they can send an email to info@therapytopdogs.co.za for banking details and more information.
“The Top Dogs Covid Knitting Initiative serves as a symbol that we are here to support one another during these challenging times,” Denise concluded.
Top Dogs is a voluntary organisation which pays formal and informal visits with their therapy dogs to patients in various facilities, such as physical rehabilitation hospitals, frail-care centres, hospices and children’s homes.
ALSO READ:
Covid-19 cannot stop letters to Santa
ALSO READ:
Resident (103) recovers from Covid-19
