Hospital recruits more four-legged friends

Jane Wilson said that patients and staff loved seeing her dog Lucan

A hospital trust is on the look-out for more canine volunteers to act as therapy dogs for its patients.

Leighton Hospital in Crewe currently has three visiting dogs, and voluntary services manager Jo Newbrook said the scheme had a "huge impact" on wellbeing.

Among the patients to have benefited is injured strongman Dan Jones, who said visits from therapy dog Lucan had helped him recover.

"Seeing someone coming in that wants nothing but a stroke - it does help a lot," he explained.

Mr Jones was recently discharged from the Leighton after being injured while running with 80kg of weight during the final of a strongman contest in September.

Six-year-old English setter Lucan has been taking walkies on the ward for over a year and owner Jane Wilson described the visits as "very, very rewarding."

"I can't believe that two hours a week, when we come into a ward, makes such a difference to staff and to patients," said Ms Wilson.

Ms Wilson had been unaware of the therapy dog scheme despite working in the hospital's supplies department.

Ms Newbrook said she was keen to encourage more volunteers and their dogs to register their interest with the charity Pets As Therapy.

"They have their temperament assessment, their vaccinations are checked," she explained, after which her department considers applications.

It hopes to see applications from "calm, sociable and healthy" dogs with dedicated volunteer owners.

Ms Newbrook, from the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, said of the scheme's benefits: "We find that often patients are missing their animals at home.

"Some people with dementia will talk about dogs that they had when they were growing up."

"It's hugely beneficial to patients' health and well-being."