FOR patients in hospital wards and children in classrooms across Jersey, a wagging tail can sometimes make all the difference.
Two Islanders and their dogs have now been recognised for that work, receiving awards for their voluntary pet therapy visits at the world’s largest dog show.
The outstanding achievement awards were made at Crufts, the world’s largest dog show, which was staged at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham earlier this month, and accepted on the winners’ behalf by Ro Cox, who heads up the Jersey branch of Therapy Dogs Nationwide.
Jan Sims and 13-year-old German Shepherd cross Peggy are regular visitors at St Saviour’s Hospital.
One nurse said: “I can’t tell you what a difference she has made to some of our patients who maybe don’t have a dog or have pets of their own at home – just seeing Peggy on the ward sitting by their feet, letting them cuddle her makes all the difference in the world.
“We see first-hand what a positive difference this makes – the power of per therapy really is quite something to see.”
Tina Caldeira and Lola – a Labradoodle who will be 10 next week – visit locations including St Michael’s Prep School and an Island care home every week.
Ms Cox said: “Children at the school love Lola’s visits and the interaction they have with her as they are encouraged in classes.
“We also see the difference achieved at the care home, including one occasion where Lola helped provide real comfort to a resident who was close to the end of life and their loved ones.”
Therapy Dogs Nationwide was established in 2016 and has more than 1,500 volunteers across the British Isles.
Around 50 volunteers, and their dogs from across the range of breeds, are involved in the local branch. All prospective volunteers and their pets go through a rigorous temperament assessment to see if they are suitable, as not all dogs like to be petted by strangers, and dogs must remain calm in a wide variety of situations.
Ms Cox said: “Our dogs are not assistance dogs like Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and drug detection Dogs which have undergone extensive training to do a specific job, however, they are more than just a family pet.
“Once a dog has passed its assessment, it is placed in an establishment that suits them and their owner.
“All our volunteers and dogs are insured by Therapy Dogs Nationwide’s comprehensive insurance policy and we wear a uniform with our logo on it, so we can be easily identified as Therapy Dogs Nationwide, and similarly, our dogs wear branded leads and collars and coats.”
Anyone interested in putting themselves forward for the service should email jersey@tdn.org.uk or call 07797 739795.
