Cockerpoo Ted is paw-fect patient tonic

Ted the cockerpoo cheered up hospital patient Irene Fiander on his first ward round

Patients have been treated to a welcome boost by a new four-legged hospital visitor.

Ted, the cockerpoo dog, managed to cheer up a ward on his first visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk.

His owner, Sara Headford, who has worked as a nurse for 38 years and trained at the hospital, signed up Ted as a therapy dog with the charity Canine Concern after seeing the benefits first-hand.

Patient Irene Fiander, 70, said: "It’s so lovely seeing a dog on the ward – it’s a really nice distraction and makes everyone much happier."

Ted, with owner Sara Headford (left) and hospital volunteer services manager Joanne Rowe (right), has started visiting patients

Ms Headford said she was keen for Ted to help improve wellbeing and she had seen how he had made a difference to a much-loved relative.

"My husband's grandmother was 99 years of age when she passed away and Ted was the last male love of her life," she said.

"We all visited her in Southmeads Hospital in Bristol - when the staff realised Ted was a PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog he would visit any patients who wanted to see him and also in the care home in which gran passed away."

Ted will now join fellow PAT dog Milo in wagging his tail for the patients at the Queen Elizabeth when he visits every other month.

Joanne Rowe, the hospital trust's voluntary services manager, said: "Dog therapy is a great way to boost morale for patients on our wards.

"It’s a welcome distraction for patients and provides extra stimulation and supports patients to be more active while in hospital."

She added the hospital was keen for more PAT-registered dogs to visit and urged any owners to get in contact.