PAGE HEADER PETS AS THERAPY
Furry friends to NNUH The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is delighted to be introducing the Pets As Therapy (PAT) programme to help promote wellbeing and support a quicker recovery for patients. Here we find out about their first visit to the hospital, spending time on Heydon Ward. The hospital has teamed up with Pets As Therapy (PAT), a charity founded in 1983 where dedicated volunteers and their calm and friendly pets visit people in a variety of settings so they can benefit from animal assisted therapy (AAT). Initially, the scheme will be offered to inpatients on the Trust’s Older People’s Medicine wards and the Neurology ward, with visits taking place following a referral from a Ward Sister on areas identified as suitable by the NNUH Infection Prevention and Control team.
Support for patients Andree Glaysher, Ward Sister for Heydon Neurology said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be introducing Pets as Therapy to our Neurology and OPM wards. Staying in hospital can often be a stressful time for patients and having the dogs on the wards will be a great way to bring joy and companionship and support the wellbeing of our patients.” Sally Dyson, Voluntary Services Manager at NNUH said: “Research has provided solid evidence that dogs can have a very positive and beneficial effect on a patient’s wellbeing and assist a speedier recovery. The companionship of a dog and their handler can decrease loneliness, stimulate conversation, encourage movement and social interaction. We’re very pleased to be introducing this programme to NNUH and so grateful to those at
NNUH patient Bee enjoyed the w Li the charity for sparing their time to support our patients.”
Our first visitors The first PAT Teams to visit patients at NNUH were Buddy and his owner Angela, Abbee and her owner Wendy, Minty and her owner Sophia, Lily and her owner Anne plus Stella with her handler Carole. You can find out more about our visitors on page 7. All PAT teams supporting us on this project are registered with the national charity, PAT. All owners and handlers will complete an additional Trust level recruitment process, and all PAT dogs are required to be fully vaccinated and temperament and health assessed prior to beginning their PAT dog duties.
Five PAT dogs and their owners visited NNUH this month and they are pictured above alongside members of the NNUH Volunteer team who organised the visit 6
NEWS FROM NNUH – FEBRUARY 2018