St John is axing its volunteer-run pets therapy, hospital volunteers and community carers programmes, a move that has left many long-serving volunteers devastated.
An email sent to volunteers, seen by Chris Lynch Media, outlines the decision to wind down the programmes over the next 10 months as part of a broader restructure in St John’s community health directorate.
The decision stands in sharp contrast to St John’s own Māori strategy released in 2022, which promised to “improve mental wellbeing for more people by expanding our Therapy Pets programme and mental wellbeing education and support.”
St John has not confirmed whether internal initiatives, such as its Manaaki Ora Māori strategy, Pride events, or Matariki celebrations, will also be reviewed as part of its wider organisational changes.
Volunteers from the Friends of the Emergency Department programme, those who visit long-stay hospital patients, and volunteers who assist in hospital foyers are all being cut. The caller service that supports lonely people is staying.
Photo: St John / file
In the email, Deputy Chief Executive for Community Health, Pete Loveridge, acknowledged the “tough choices” made in response to evolving strategic priorities.
Chris Lynch Media understands the decision was not a financial one.
Health New Zealand and ACC jointly provided nearly $357 million of funding to St John in the financial year 2024/25 for emergency road ambulance and communication services.
The news has already had a significant emotional impact on volunteers who give their time freely each week to support vulnerable members of their communities.
One St John Therapy Pet volunteer told Chris Lynch Media “I thought it was in the public interest to know that the programme we do for free every week is being slashed. I see firsthand the difference our visits make, people who haven’t been out of their rooms for a month, coming and talking to my dog.
The caregivers every single week talk about the difference it makes in their residents’ happiness. Now all to be gone. I’m so gutted.”
Photo: St John / file
In the official email sent to volunteers, St John explained that the change comes after 18 months of internal strategy work aimed at aligning resources to the areas of highest community health impact. That new focus will be on three main areas: health education, health access, and health monitoring programmes.
“It marks a shift in focus to helping communities nurture healthier futures,” the email said.
Are you affected by this decision? Email [email protected]
“As part of this shift, and to progress our broader goal of improving health outcomes for our communities, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision about the future of our Therapy Pets and Hospital Volunteers & Carers programmes.”
The email states that St John will no longer be the provider of these services.
“Over the next 10 months, we’ll begin exploring whether these programmes can be transitioned to other organisations, such as hospitals, rest homes, or community groups, so the positive impact you make through volunteering can continue,” the email reads.
St John said it would work with volunteers to help identify other opportunities within the organisation, and that in the meantime, the current programmes would continue and remain fully funded.
“We know this news may be difficult. This decision hasn’t been made lightly, and we want to acknowledge the incredible difference you’ve made,” the email said. “Your dedication, care, and commitment have touched many, and we are deeply grateful for everything you’ve contributed.”
One volunteer told chrislynchmedia.com the impact of the programmes, particularly in aged care and hospital settings, is immense, often helping to alleviate loneliness and bring comfort to patients who rarely receive visitors.
