24 March 2023
Therapy dogs are spreading smiles in ITU Our Intensive Therapy Units (ITU) are receiving visits from therapy dogs to help boost health and wellbeing. SaTH is working in partnership with national charity Pets As Therapy (PAT) on the initiative which sees volunteers bringing their friendly pets onto wards. Most recently, the pets have been lifting spirits in ITU where the visits are proving a big hit. Fiona Jutsum is an ITU Consultant who volunteers at RSH along with her Labrador, Pip.
Nursing, said: “We are Ann-Marie Jones and Jan delighted to be able to welcome Jones, the PAT Co-ordinators therapy dogs into our hospitals. Fiona said: “Therapy animals for SaTH, said: “We have been Staying in hospital can be can have a positive impact, visiting the hospitals with our daunting, but for many people physically and psychologically, therapy dogs for 28 years now the companionship of an animal for both patients and staff. and it brings a lot of smiles and is a welcome distraction and a Studies have shown that therapy happiness to people. great source of comfort. animals can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, “Along with our dogs Sasha, “We know that the benefits of promote engagement in Suzie and Lewies, we have therapy dogs are not just limited rehabilitation and ease recently started working with the to the patients; they extend to physiological symptoms. Critical Care Team to help family members and staff too. I provide this special therapy. want to thank our wonderful PAT “The process was very volunteers and their four-legged straightforward once you know “We always look forward to friends for the difference they you have the right dog for the seeing the patients and staff and are making.” job! It is incredible to see the we are already seeing the impact that the dogs have, with benefits in ITU. We always say If you are interested in becoming many patients requesting repeat that to place a paw on a visiting volunteer, you will visits. Even patients who have someone’s knee, that for sure is need to register with PAT. For been sedated and on ventilators therapy.” more information, please visit have smiled and stroked the www.petsastherapy.org dog.” Hayley Flavell, Director of More pictures - Page 6 Inside: Helen’s run in daughter’s memory, visit by mayor, walkabouts and spotlight on our healthcare scientists