WHAT better way to spend your retirement years by volunteering to comfort animals during their time at the vets?

That’s what 84-year-old Deirdre Dartnall has chosen to do with her spare time. Deirdre, who has lived in Launceston for three years since moving from Essex, approached Vets4Pets Launceston about volunteering to spend time with any animals who were in need of some tender loving care during their stay at the practice.

Deirdre’s daughter, Gaye Newby, explained “We’ve lived here for three years and mum’s been volunteering for Vets4Pets Launceston since then.

“She’s always been interested in animal healing and when we came to live in Cornwall from Essex, where we used to live, she had cats and dogs. She just went in there one day (Vets4Pets) and said she’d be happy to come in and spend some time with the animals. So I drop her in on a Tuesday and she goes in for about three or four hours.

“If the animals are fretful, she’ll give them strokes, cuddles them and just generally calms them. Other times, with the ones who are coming round from an operation, she’ll sit with them with a bit of food on her finger and encourage them to eat — and she’s usually successful!”

Deirdre has never worked with animals before, but her kindness makes way for a wealth of experience in comforting poorly animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, rats and even hedgehogs.

Gaye continued: “She’s always had dogs and cats, but I think she was of that generation really. My dad went to work and she did all the work at home and looked after us.

“She just sits with the animals. They might be shaking or frightened and she’ll just comfort them. She’ll look after any animal that might be there — the other day she was looking after a rabbit, she’s looked after rats and hedgehogs too! She just absolutely loves doing it.

“It’s nice because it gets her out and meeting people. When we moved here she didn’t know anyone, so she joined a couple of knitting groups and then went to the vets and asked if she could come in and help.”

Gaye added: “There was a time recently when she couldn’t make it, so the vets sent her flowers and said they were missing her. It’s really lovely.”

Vets4Pets Launceston are thankful to Deirdre for her time she has dedicated to comforting the animals staying with them for treatment.

Jo Dudak, practice owner and veterinary surgeon, said: “Once a week, Deirdre volunteers her time to come to the practice and sit with our in-patients. It can be stressful for any animal to be in an unfamiliar clinical environment, and while we of course do try to make their stay as comfortable as possible, we really do notice a difference on the days Deirdre is here with us.

“The care and compassion she has for everyone and everything really does shine through and all animals just warm to her immediately.”

The practice encourage people to contact them if they would like Deirdre to sit with an animal.

Jo continued: “If you’d like Deirdre to give your pet the love he/she deserves while we take care of their health then please do give us a call on 01566 771 920, we will happily make arrangements for a day she is here with us.”

Speaking about Deirdre, Jo added: “On behalf of the team at Vets4Pets Launceston, our clients and all of the animals you have helped through hard times, thank you so much! You really are one in a million.”