Hato Hone St John has decided to cut a range of community programmes - therapy pets, hospital volunteers and community carers - from the end of June 2026.

St John deputy chief executive community health Pete Loveridge said the organisation’s governance group has approved a new direction for its community health arm to focus on expanding health education, enabling proactive health monitoring, and improving access to health services.

St John conducted a review of existing programmes and services to ensure they were aligned with the new direction and made the “difficult decision” to conclude the therapy pets, hospital volunteers and community carers programmes next year, he said.

“We know this is disappointing news for our volunteers, clients, and staff who are impacted,” Peter said.

“This change is not about cost saving but ensuring the work we do has the greatest impact and is aligned with our strategic goal of helping people to achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes.”

The therapy outreach pets involves visiting elderly people, schools, and rest homes, while caring callers is an outreach programme which provides regular contact for some of the lonelier or isolated members of the community.

“We want to thank and acknowledge the significant contribution of every individual who has put their time, compassion, and energy into these programmes,” Peter said.

Just a few months ago, in March, the local St John area committee held a drop-in day at the St John Rooms for locals to learn about opportunities in therapy pets, caring callers, and other services.

“There’s an enormous amount of satisfaction involved,” a local St John committee member told the Wānaka App. 

“What’s more, there’s a need.”

St John is currently exploring opportunities to transition the soon-to-be-axed programmes to the organisation’s service partners, including hospitals and rest homes, Peter said.

St John continues to offer a range of community programmes across the country.