By Amy Pollock
AN eighty year-old volunteer who helps keep people and their pets together proves there’s no upper age limits when supporting a cause that’s close to the heart.
Beatrice Major, from Forestside, near Carryduff, has been a volunteer at Bangor-based charity Rosie’s Trust for over seven years.
It is the only charity in Northern Ireland that offers care for pets in people’s homes while owners are struggling due to ill health or older age.
The retired civil servant, who is a canine support worker on behalf of the charity, has provided essential care to three dogs during her time as a volunteer.
Giving insight into how she lends support, Beatrice said: “I’m assigned to a beneficiary who is older and hasn’t got good mobility now, so they can’t walk the dog. So I, along with other volunteers, take turns in caring for the dog to help the owner.
“There’s about six of us assigned to the one dog, which needs medication and walking, so we do two visits per day. We will draw up a monthly rota and offer times that suit us so the dog is never without visits.”
Beatrice has been caring for the same dog for three years.
“If the dog needs to go to the vet, we would take them. We can pick up prescriptions and take them to their grooming appointments – just tending to the dog’s welfare – and the dog enjoys it very much.”
She says part of her volunteer work includes being a linchpin for the owner as well as their companion pet.
“We would also take time to have a chat with the owner who enjoys our company because very often, if it’s an older person, they might not have seen many people in the day if they haven’t family or friends nearby, so you build a relationship with them and become a friend.”
The charity supports three key groups – those undergoing cancer treatment, older people with mobility issues, and people receiving end of life care.
“Some beneficiaries are older than me, some are similar in age and even younger. They usually have no other support and I’m glad to support them,” said Beatrice.
Beatrice said being a long-term animal lover was her biggest motivation when deciding to volunteer.
“I like dogs. I don’t have a dog at home, so it appeals to me to be able to spend time with a dog and at the same time help someone.
“I haven’t been a volunteer for any other organisation, then I heard about Rosie’s Trust and thought it suited me perfectly, and I’ve stayed with them as the years have gone on.”
She said if she could offer advice to other senior citizens who are considering volunteering, it would be to ‘just go for it’.
“The volunteering I do, it isn’t demanding and there aren’t any set criteria. It’s suitable for people of all ages. As long as you enjoy walking, being with dogs and meeting new people – it’s as simple as that.
“I really enjoy it. I would encourage anyone of any age who has some spare time to volunteer.”
