Canine Companions at Work: Spencer Clarke Group Share Their Experience
20 May 2026
A First Paw Account | What Do Our Dogs REALLY Think Of Our Therapy Dog Events?
9 June 2026
We often get told we have the best job in the world.
But what's it really like being a Moment to Paws handler?
Here's what an event looks like through our eyes.
Today we're off to visit the team at Havas Market in Leeds and we hear there are lots of staff eager for cuddles and strokes.
The day begins with packing up the car
There's more kit than you think:
- Cushions for people to sit on the floor
- Rugs for the dogs to lie on
- Our banner and posters
- Music speaker
- Vacuum
- Lint rollers
- Hand sanitiser
- The most important item - a water bowl
- And of course the Moment to Paws bandanas
One last check to make sure we haven't missed anything.
The dogs...??
Don't worry, we haven't forgotten them.
With most of the team being local to Moment to Paws founder Kate, we pop round to each of their owners to pick them up, checking whether there's anything we need to be aware of before heading to the venue.
Today we've got Mabel, a Cocker Spaniel, Tilly, a Cockapoo, Trudy, a Maltipoo and Golden Retriever Bella. Trudy is actually coming to the event with her owner, Sarah, so there's plenty of room for the other three in Kate's car.
Preparing our space
We aim to get to the venue at least an hour before the event is due to begin, so we can meet our point of contact and get set up.
With all that kit and a team of dogs too, it takes a few trips back and forth to the car to bring everything in, but in next to no time the banner's set up, the cushions are arranged around the rug, and the music's playing.
All that's left to do is tie the bandanas around the dogs and then we're ready for our first group.
As is often the case, they're already waiting outside, but we make sure they don't come in early so as not to tire the dogs out too soon - they've got a couple of hours of fuss to save their energy for!
Today, we’re running six 15-minute sessions with up to twelve people in each.
We work on a maximum ratio of three people per dog so no one misses out and the dogs don't feel overwhelmed, but it's sometimes less which means lots of one-to-one time.
The smiles begin
We open the door and invite everyone to come and sit on the floor if they're comfortable, as they're much more likely to get interaction with the dogs.
A quick check to make sure everyone's happy for us to take photos and videos (likewise the staff ask if they can take their own), and then the cuddles commence!
The handlers mostly sit in the background and listen to the lovely comments as everyone enjoys their time with the dogs, but it's also nice to answer their questions and find out about their jobs and backgrounds.
Many of the people we meet have their own dogs at home. Our events are the perfect four-legged fix while they're at work.
We also keep an eye on the dogs to make sure they're not showing any signs of stress. They rarely do; they love their job.
In fact, if anything it's more likely they'll get a bit too playful and want to chase each other around, so we have to redirect them back to the humans!
After each 15 minutes the staff use the lint rollers to de-fluff their clothes before making way for the next group.
They leave with comments like "Can we do this again next week please??" and "That was the best thing ever!" which gives us all a feel-good buzz.
Time to recharge
After the third group it's time for a 30-minute break.
We take the dogs outside for some fresh air and a toilet stop - often needed with all the excitement - before heading back in for another three 15-minute sessions.
In this second half of the event the dogs are normally a lot calmer.
Tilly and Bella are quite happy to nap next to people whilst they stroke them, creating an ultra-relaxing environment.
Indeed many people say they feel sleepy themselves and don't want to get up off the floor!
Packing up after the event
After the last person has left, the clean-up operation begins:
- Cushions picked up
- Rugs and floor vacuumed
- Bandanas off
- Kit packed away
Then we pop the leads on the dogs and carry everything back to the car.
Our furry team take the opportunity to nap on the journey home to their owners, where they'll most likely carry on sleeping for the rest of the afternoon - it's tiring being so cute and friendly!
So that wraps up another successful event to add to the list of more than 250 we’ve done so far.
The kit has a quick freshen up before being loaded back up as we have another event tomorrow, with different members of the Moment to Paws pack – could it be your workplace we’re coming to visit?
