Pets as Therapy provide dogs that delight patients at Walsall Manor Hospital

Patients on Walsall Manor Hospital's stroke unit were delighted when a very unusual visitor arrived on the ward.

George is a newly qualified Pets as Therapy greyhound. Having completed his assessment, he will become a regular visitor to the hospital, along with his sister, Jemima and other pets.

His first visit was greeted with huge enthusiasm by many of the patients as greyhound racing is a popular sport in the Walsall area. Several people were able to talk in some detail about the breed and also about the various wins they had had over the years. It was great to see some of the men, many of whom had speech problems following their stroke, chatting so easily together, and with such obvious enthusiasm, about a shared interest.

One gentleman, who was clearly very confused and very agitated, calmed down the moment he saw George, the greyhound, by his bedside. Slowly he lifted his hand to stroke him and then very gently he moved his head to within inches of George and, for some minutes, they silently stared into each other's eyes. It was very moving. it seemed to everyone who was by the bed that the dog had an instinctive understanding of the gentleman's situation

By the end of the visit, staff, patients and relatives were all delighting in George's various party tricks.

Everyone was very grateful to Sally, George's owner, for giving up so much of her time to bring him to the ward.

George is now going to be a regular visitor to the wards.

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