A four-legged friend is brightening the day for patients on a hospital ward.
Ella, the three-year-old Shih Tzu, makes every Thursday at Bradford Royal Infirmary, part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a day to remember.
The perfect pooch – part of the Pets As Therapy (PAT) charity programme – visits the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a couple of hours during which time she brings comfort and joy to patients who enjoy meeting and stroking her.
The benefits of pets as therapy to help calm and heal have long been known – and even have a Royal endorsement.
While on a walkabout following the death of his grandmother, The Queen, HRH Prince William remarked to one bystander waiting patiently with her dog: “Dogs are so important at this time. I give my dog lots of cuddles at the moment.”
Ella, along with her owner, Kieron Mackrill, is also a firm favourite with hospital staff.
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist for Critical Care, Cordy Gaubert said: “We had been talking about getting a therapy dog for ICU for some time as we knew there was lots of evidence to show how beneficial they were, how they could help to calm patients and motivate them.
“We also thought it would be a lovely idea for patients who have dogs of their own and are really missing them while in hospital. We originally got in touch with the Pets As Therapy (PAT) charity before the pandemic but then of course everything came to a halt. Eventually it was possible for us to go ahead and we were paired up with Kieron and Ella.
“Patients really look forward to the visits – as do many members of staff,” she said.
Cordy added that staff always checked with patients first whether they would be happy to have a visit from Ella.
“Because we’re an ICU, not all patients will be suitable and of course, we have to be mindful that not everyone feels comfortable with dogs. We also have strict infection control measures in place.
“We decided to organise the sessions during visiting time for relatives because then, the families of our patients get the benefits too. As well as stroking Ella, patients also enjoy chatting to Kieron who can tell them all about the charity and the use of pets as therapy.”
Feedback from patients – and their families – has been overwhelmingly positive with one patient saying: “Ella’s visit cheered up my day. It was completely spirit raising and calming at the same time. Her visit brought some reality into the crazy world of ICU.”
Others commented: “It took my mind off things while talking to Kieron and stroking Ella,” and “Seeing Ella brightened my day,” while one family said: “We could see a change in my dad after the visit. He’s an animal lover.”
Kieron said that from first getting Ella as a young puppy, he had wanted her to be a therapy dog but never dreamed it would happen. It was all down to a chance visit to the vet.
“We were at an appointment when the vet suggested it. He said Ella had such a lovely, gentle and calm nature and would be perfect so I set about looking into it. She passed all the tests with flying colours and now it’s wonderful to be able to share her with lots of people.
“As well as coming into the Trust, we also visit a hospice and go into schools to visit children and young people with special needs. I love seeing the joy she brings to people.”
Pets As Therapy Yorkshire Co-ordinator, Sarah Anderson said: “After working with Cordy on this project before Covid, and then Covid delays, I’m so pleased it is now up and running with Ella and Kieron. The comments from patients and staff speak for themselves – interactions with therapy dogs can have such a beneficial impact on patients, relatives and staff alike.”
*Pets As Therapy is a national charity that enhances the health and wellbeing of thousands of people in communities across the UK. It strives to ensure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has access to the companionship of an animal.
The volunteers and their temperament-assessed pets visit establishments such as care homes, hospitals, hospices, schools and prisons, and bring smiles to many faces. People of all ages get the chance to chat to someone — and stroke and cuddle a friendly dog or cat.
Read more about the charity here: Pets As Therapy