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NHS: Dogs

Asked by Dr Al PinkertonLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 5 January 2026UIN 101210

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will partner with charities that provide (a) therapy dog services and (b) entertainment activities for children within NHS services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Dr Zubir Ahmed

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential impact of charities providing dog therapy within National Health Services on patients in the Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department does not have current plans to partner with charities that provide therapy dog services or entertainment activities for children within NHS services in Surrey Heath constituency.


Responsibility for onward commissioning of mental health services sits with integrated care boards (ICB). It is the role of local ICB decision-makers to consider the implications of mental health services, specific to each geography and including the perspectives of healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and local authorities.

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