Man takes dog to hospital to 'offer others hope'

Staff would put dog treats between Nigel Avery's fingers and allow Martha to jump on to the bed

A dog owner who spent more than 100 days in hospital while paralysed has returned to the same wards with his pet to offer hope to others.

Nursing staff at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital allowed visits from Martha to owner Nigel Avery while he was in intensive care.

Two years on the pair have now completed therapy dog training, and go into the hospital to visit other patients.

Mr Avery's family had been told to prepare for the worst after he developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after a bout of Covid and he was put into a coma to help his body recover.

The 57-year-old from Ash, was wheeled outside with his life saving equipment where staff would put dog treats between his fingers and allow Martha to jump on his bed.

“The nurses said 'don't worry if anything comes out, we can plug him back in'," Mr Avery said.

Sarah Gotke, the physiotherapist who helped him outside, said: “The first time Martha jumped on to his bed there were tears streaming down his face because he was so excited about seeing her."

Mr Avery said: “It’s a good job she took the treats gently because I have all my fingers left.”

The pair visit the Kent and Canterbury Hospital for a couple of hours once a week

Mr Avery says he doesn’t remember anything about Martha's first visit, but that on each of the next three visits she gave him the motivation to get better.

He spent weeks recovering in the neurorehabilitation unit where he met stroke patients who inspired him to begin therapy dog training with Martha.

Now the pair have finished their training Mr Avery and Martha visit the Kent and Canterbury Hospital for a few hours each week.

Ms Gotke said: “Martha has seen a patient who is dog mad and when I came in, she was crying and now she is smiling.

“She said that she has had a paw on her bed and a wet nose on her hand and it's made a huge difference.”

Mr Avery says they will continue their visits for as long as Martha continues to enjoy it.