Therapy Dogs’ “Phenomenal” Impact on Hospital Patients Praised

Hospital personnel have commended the “miraculous” influence of canine volunteers on patients. A total of eleven therapy dogs regularly attend wards at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, both located in East Yorkshire. For instance, a 20-year-old patient, rendered unconscious and immobile following a car accident, extended his hand to pet Barney, an eight-year-old cockerpoo, during a bedside visit. Rachael Hardcastle-Pearce, who leads voluntary services for these hospitals, described the effect on both patients and staff as “phenomenal.” Over the last two years, these eleven volunteer canines have collectively provided over 800 hours of service. They were enlisted by the charity Pets as Therapy (PAT) and operate in two-hour shifts. Barney holds the record for the most hours worked, and his owner, Denis Lockwood, pioneered the idea of introducing PAT dogs into intensive care units. Mr. Lockwood, a resident of Beverley, East Yorkshire, commented that he has witnessed “very sad situations,” but noted that Barney “takes the stress off things.” He recounted observing a miraculous reaction in two patients whose prospects for recovery were considered low. One of these individuals, who had been unconscious and motionless since admission, reached out to stroke Barney. Mr. Lockwood stated: “I’ve put the dog by them and they’ve stretched out for the dog. The first person that happened to, I had been told by the nursing staff he probably wouldn’t recover.” He added: “I’m not religious, but it’s really unusual to see something like that and when you see the staff in tears, it really gets you.” Ms. Hardcastle-Pearce remarked that PAT dogs possess “an air of magic about them.” She elaborated: “When they come for their shifts, they put one foot in the hospital and the crowds are around the dogs straight away. They have a huge impact.” She also mentioned that the dogs occasionally assisted clinicians in achieving therapeutic outcomes. In one instance, a young patient who had been unwilling to participate in physiotherapy consented to walk a dog instead. Ms. Hardcastle-Pearce quoted: “He was very reluctant to do any physio that day, but through the power of the dog being there, they got him up, they got him walking, so that will aid his recovery to hopefully get him home.” The BBC accompanied miniature schnauzers Lotte and Miss Boogie during a visit to the radiotherapy unit at Castle Hill. They advanced only a short distance before being intercepted by numerous patients and visitors. Among these individuals was Sarah Hutchinson-Winn, who was providing support to her mother undergoing radiotherapy while simultaneously receiving chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. She commented: “They put a smile on your face. We usually see them when we come in, and they’re so pleased to see you. It’s soothing, just to have a little cuddle. It makes you feel at ease and it makes you smile.” Lotte and Miss Boogie belong to Gill Shillaker, a resident of Brantingham. Her decision to volunteer stemmed from her sister’s treatment at Castle Hill. Ms. Shillaker noted that both patients and staff cherish the dogs, with one doctor consistently providing them with treats. She added: “They often say ‘oh you’ve made my day’, and that makes my day as well.” Eleven-year-old Hugo, a border terrier, is a seasoned volunteer and the most enduring member of the team, having dedicated over two-and-a-half years to visiting staff and patients following six years of service in care homes. His owner, Yvonne Batten, from Hull, recounted that care home personnel were astonished when a resident spoke to Hugo, having believed she had lost her ability to speak two years prior due to a stroke. Ms. Batten described the work as “very rewarding,” but emphasized that “if Hugo didn’t enjoy it, we wouldn’t do it.” During a visit to the complex rehabilitation unit at Castle Hill, Hugo interacted with patients suffering from severe brain injuries. Among them was Stephanie Lavarack, who appeared overjoyed after not having seen her own dog for several weeks. She declared that dogs were “better company than people” and received a face lick from Hugo as a reward. Reacting with good humor, she playfully said, “give us a kiss.” The newest addition to the team is Jake, a four-year-old golden retriever, who recently finished his assessment for PAT duties. He boasts a notable lineage, as his father secured the “best in breed” title at Crufts. His owner, Dorothy Littlewood, from Walkington, East Yorkshire, is a retired hospital employee who expresses enthusiasm about returning as a volunteer. She remarked: “I know personally from friends and relatives who have been through tough times, it’s been a game changer for them, having that visit from a therapy dog.” Currently, approximately 4,500 PAT dogs are active in hospitals across England. Hull Royal and Castle Hill hospitals are actively seeking additional volunteers and aim to have 25 dogs making ward rounds by next Christmas.