Pets As Therapy is a national charity whose volunteers regularly take their dogs (and cats) to visit hospitals, care homes, special needs schools and similar establishments throughout the country, bringing much needed therapeutic care to patients and residents. The animals – and their owners – have to pass a strict assessment before qualifying.
For several years Bryn and Sue were regular PAT visitors to a local nursing home until its closure. Then two years ago, when a request came in from the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology in the Wirral for a registered PAT dog to work with patients there, Bryn was seen as the perfect choice. Within a short time the Wirral was buzzing about the beautiful black PAT dog making such a difference to patients’ lives in the Centre. Such has been the demand that Bryn now visits twice a week.
The Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in the UK. Bryn received many nominations from its staff and patients, one of which said: “Bryn’s work is invaluable to the Department … I believe he has saved many lives by giving patients back that bit of normality they have been forced to leave behind while undergoing very frightening treatments.”
Alison Bell, the Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Centre, said: “Bryn’s unique personality, always sympathetic yet calm and unflappable, brings outstanding support and understanding to people who are in distress.”
Bryn not only helps the patients; he is a great help to their families too. In a further nomination the daughter of a patient undergoing treatment said: “I was often close to tears after I had to leave the room while my mother was being ‘zapped’. Bryn and Sue were just outside the treatment area on a number of occasions as I came out. To be able to bury my head in Bryn’s soft fur and give him a cuddle helped me through those terrible times. Bryn was there at just the right moments to work some of his Pets As Therapy magic for which I will be eternally grateful.”
Bryn was voted ‘PAT Dog of the Year 2007’ by a celebrity panel, including actors Roy Barraclough MBE, Pam St Clement, Pauline Fleming, Roy Hudd and Lisa Riley, television chef James Martin and the editor of Yours magazine, Valery McConnell, together with Yours readers.
Bryn was presented with his award by Valery McConnell and Tony Parkinson, Managing Director of HiLife Pet Foods, the Pets As Therapy sponsors, at a special ceremony in Buxton, Derbyshire. He received £500 and three months’ supply of HiLife dog food and a piece of engraved crystal by Birkdale Crystal.
Tony Parkinson said: “It is a privilege for HiLife to be long-term sponsors of Pets As Therapy and to be able to play a part in supporting the excellent and invaluable work done day in, day out by its volunteers and their dogs.”
Five runners-up, who each received prizes of £100, a month’s supply of HiLife dog food and a piece of crystal by Birkdale Crystal, were Bearded Collie Riley, owned by Carol Laura Williams from Oldham, Lancashire; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Holly, owned by Susan Perks from Leicester; Labrador Hoyt, owned by Sharon and Richard Betts from Malvern, Worcestershire; Border Terrier Beanie, owned by Monica Dixon from Alton, Hampshire and Border Collie Moss, owned by Patricia Weatherley from Hextable, Kent.
Nominations came from medical staff, carers, patients and residents of hospitals, hospices, residential homes, special needs schools and other similar establishments throughout the country.
Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show will be taking place from 6th – 9th March 2008 at the NEC, Birmingham. The show is open from 8.15 to 19.30 each day.
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