John loves his dose of pet therapy

"I first heard about it through an American website and that put me in touch with Canine Friends based in Wellington. I'm the only registered volunteer in Blenheim," Ms Robinson said.

Canine Friends president Eileen Curry, arguably the doyen of golden retriever breeders in New Zealand, started the voluntary organisation 17 years ago.

There are now dozens of dog owners registered to provide pet therapy from Invercargill to Auckland.

Mrs Curry says resthomes in Blenheim are constantly asking her to find more dogs for visiting duty. MORE>>

When I was back in Ottawa, I volunteered at the Humane Society, and we went out to old folks home, and also the Women's Refuge Centre, and the Mission. It was amazing how some people just opened up and talked about their dog that they used to have.