'My NHS hospital therapy dog supports wellbeing'

Royal Blackburn Hospital chaplain Rachel Fielding owns and trains cockerpoo Alfie

A much-loved therapy dog provides "wonderful support" for hospital patients and staff "who can't help but smile when they see him", his owner has said.

Cockerpoo Alfie joined the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT) in January 2022 at eight weeks old and is said to be the only therapy dog in England to be owned by an NHS trust.

The costs of looking after Alfie - from vet bills to food and even squeaky toys - are met by the Royal Blackburn Hospital's charity, ELHT and Me.

Hospital chaplain Rachel Fielding, who looks after and trains Alfie at the Royal Blackburn's spiritual care centre, said he was "picked for his colour, because it's easy to see his face".

Alfie joined the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust team aged only eight weeks

"We had another dog called Jasper which we all miss, and it was because of the work that Jasper did that Alfie came to the trust," said Rachel. "The trust saw the difference that Jasper made.

"Alfie started as a puppy and was trained at home and was assessed by a professional dog trainer.

"Then he had a two-hour assessment in the hospital with a target patient - a retired veterinary nurse.

"When he meets somebody he turns with his bottom to them. He's trained to sit with his back to the patient so it's non-confrontational for people who might be scared - and he's easier to stroke."

'Dog of the Year'

Alfie provides wellbeing support for patients and staff across the trust, which covers Burnley, Clitheroe, Accrington and Pendle as well as Blackburn.

"He doesn't make eye contact because it's confrontational," added Rachel, "and it's also how dogs read emotion.

"And if he reads emotions all day he'd be absolutely shattered.

"He's also trained not to shake a paw in case he damages elderly skin or catches a cannula.

"That's not general therapy dog training - that's what works with Alfie."

Alfie recently beat hundreds of other pups to be named BBC Countryfile Magazine's Dog of the Year.

Rachel said the win was "huge", but stressed: "It's not about winning the prize, it's about the recognition of the work our staff do.

"I can't get round 39 wards in a day, so it's about our staff recognising that the therapy dog might help.

"Every week he spends time with patients, visitors and colleagues, bringing a smile to everyone he meets and resting beside them during difficult moments."