Pets as therapy
VolunteeringPets As Therapy helps volunteers and their pets bring comfort, companionship and magical moments to hospitals, schools and care homes across the UK. They asked us to create an animation to capture the joy of volunteering and show just how easy it is to get involved.
Pets bring us comfort and joy like nothing else, and by connecting schools, hospitals and care homes with their community of temperament-assessed pets and their big-hearted owners, that joy doesn’t just stay with one person—it spreads. We wanted the animation to reflect this warmth and sense of connection.
One of the key challenges was how to present the requirements for becoming a volunteer. Rather than simply list them in a factual way, Pets As Therapy wanted to make the information light-hearted and fun to match their new branding. The animation needed to help potential volunteers see themselves in the role and naturally decide whether they and their pets would be a good fit. By showing a dogs who walk nicely on a lead, take a treat gently and enjoy a good stroke, we could illustrate the criteria in a way that was friendly and relatable.
To bring the story to life, we focused on Pickle, a real therapy dog who visits schools with his owner, actor Cath Shipton. Cath, who is best known for playing Duffy in Casualty kindly recorded the voiceover. Her warm, authentic narration tied the film back to her own experiences as a Pets As Therapy volunteer, giving the animation an extra layer of credibility and heart.
We designed a visual world that felt approachable and full of personality. Each step of the volunteer journey was animated, from signing up online and being assessed in a café, to completing training and choosing a place to visit. Small touches like Pickle waiting patiently, being stroked enthusiastically, or proudly walking into a school made the process feel both real and inviting.
The finished animation is engaging and informative, giving potential volunteers a clear picture of what’s involved while celebrating the joy pets bring to people of all ages. For Pets As Therapy, it’s a way to inspire new volunteers and share their refreshed brand message with a wide audience. For us, it’s another example of how animation can turn practical information into a story that connects with people emotionally.
Jolt Studio creates animations that help charities and organisations across the UK communicate their message with clarity and warmth. If you’d like to work with us, get in touch: hello@jolt.studio
