Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog Dio visits KGH
We recently welcomed a furry friend onto our Skylark ward. Dio a five-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross, also known as a Cavapoo. Dio is therapy dog and along with his owner Lisa, he's been visiting our children's ward as therapy dog.
Pets as Therapy (PAT) is a UK charity who offer registered therapy dogs and their owners to visit hospitals, care homes, schools, and hospices. The animals offer comfort, reduce stress, and improve the health and wellbeing of people in the community.
Kate is a Play Specialist on Skylark ward, she said:
“We used to have PAT dogs on the ward before Covid. We're now looking to reintroduce them onto the ward for the benefit of our patients.
They light up when they see the animals. It's like a touch of comfort; there's a familiarity to seeing a dog. They may have a pet at home, that they might be missing, and it makes the experience of being in hospital a little less overwhelming”.
For his first visit Lisa and Dio sat in the play area on the ward, with parents and young people visiting the curly-haired canine. With the pair also making one-on-one visits with patients at their bedside, giving Dio pats and scratches on his back and offering him treats.
Lisa is Dio's owner, who explained why she wanted Dio to be a therapy dog
“In my working life I've seen the impact that Pets as Therapy, and how other therapy animals can enrich the lives of the people who interact with them. I've seen exactly that on the ward today with the young people”
Lisa reflects on Dio's first time visiting our hospital:
“It was lovely. He's a natural. He likes all the fuss he gets from the patients plus the treats he gets for being a good boy. He did very well considering it was brand new environment for him.”
The team on Skylark are hoping that Dio will make further visits to the ward and offer comfort to the young people on the ward.
The final words go to Lisa who sums up the experience for all as “a source of joy”.