A unit that provides inpatient mental health care for North Lincolnshire people has introduced a new therapy in the form of a three year old puppy.
Daisy qualified as a registered Patient As Therapy (PAT) dog in July and has been supporting patients at Great Oaks in Scunthorpe, a facility run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH). This consists of Laurel Ward and Mulberry Ward providing adult mental health inpatient services. Daisy and Felica visit Great Oaks and meet the patients of both Laurel Ward and Mulberry Ward each week for about two hours.
Felicia Douce, Daisy’s owner, said: “Ever since she was a puppy I knew that she would make a great PAT dog. She is gentle, very well-behaved and enjoys the attention that she gets from everyone she meets.
“The patients talk to her and some of them are teaching her new tricks. It was her birthday recently and they made her a birthday card.”
Amanda Duffy, RDaSH Occupational Therapist, said: “Daisy is doing a fantastic job. Having a PAT dog has brought a relaxing and therapeutic wellbeing experience for our patients. She improves their social, emotional and cognitive abilities. Daisy has already become one of the team.”
Pets as Therapy is a charity that provide volunteers with their pet dogs (or cats) to various organisations that request visits, including hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.
Photo shows: (left to right): Amanda Duffy, Occupational Therapist; PAT dog Daisy and owner Felicia Douce.