Pets as Therapy Volunteer Supports Hospice Patients
14 Apr 2022 -- Posted by :
With April marking National Pet Month, which celebrates the benefits that pets bring to peoples’ lives, Pets as Therapy (PAT) Volunteer, Pat Highley is on hand with PAT dog, Meg to provide comfort to patients on Dr Kershaw’s In-Patient Unit.
Pat has been visiting the Hospice for over three years (with breaks during the pandemic), with her dog, Meg by her side. Meg, who first had to undertake official training and be assessed by national charity, Pets as Therapy before she was able to enter the Hospice, provides consenting patients with comfort and interaction.
Pat commented: “When I first got Meg she was so cuddly and laidback that as soon as she was old enough I enrolled her as a Pets as Therapy dog. Her visits make such a difference to patients in the Hospice. There was a lady and her husband in a double room recently, she wanted Meg on her bed, and the visit made her day, she was so happy to have interacted with Meg, a week later she passed away. I feel lucky to be able to do something so worthwhile, we love our visits to the Hospice.”
To find out more about volunteering opportunities contact the Hospice’s Volunteering Team on 0161 624 2727 or volunteerdept@drkh.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1105924
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham OL2 6EU
phone: (0161) 624 2727