National Dog Day: Dogs Bring Comfort, Connection and Joy to Hospice Patients  

National Dog Day, held on August 26th, was a chance to celebrate the special role dogs play in people’s lives and recognise the comfort and companionship they provide. At St Christopher’s Hospice, Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs are helping to make a meaningful difference to people receiving end-of-life care, bringing moments of happiness, connection and calm during some of life’s most challenging times.

St Christopher’s has two dogs who regularly visit the Inpatient Unit, offering companionship and emotional support to patients, families and staff. The dogs, Wilson and Asta, are both assessed and approved by national charity Pets As Therapy (PAT).

Among the volunteers helping patients is Sandra, who visits the hospice each week with Wilson, her six-year-old Lurcher. (see lead photo) Nadine, Asta’s owner also visits the hospice on a weekly basis.

Each week, the dogs spend time with patients across the hospice’s three wards and occasionally join therapy sessions. Some visits last only a few minutes, while others involve spending longer with patients and families, creating opportunities for conversation, reminiscence and connection.

Nadine said: “I love seeing the difference Asta can make when we visit the hospice. His presence can bring a smile to someone’s face and it’s lovely to see patients, their families, and their friends relax as they talk to or stroke him. His visits can also spark conversations about much-loved pets and happy memories.

“Having a dog around can provide a welcome distraction and give patients and their families something positive to focus on, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the comfort and connection Asta can bring and I feel very lucky to be able to share him with people at such an important time in their lives.”

Emily Alcock, Ward Manager at St Christopher’s Hospice, said:

We are fortunate to have three PAT dogs regularly visiting our hospice, where they bring companionship and moments of joy to patients, families and staff alike. We are extremely grateful to the dogs, their owners and Pets As Therapy for the positive difference they make every day.”

National Dog Day is an opportunity to recognise not only the dogs themselves, but also the volunteers who generously give their time to help others.

At St Christopher’s Hospice, PAT dogs like Wilson, Asta and Rusty continue to create moments of comfort, connection and happiness that can make a lasting difference for patients and their loved ones.

St Christopher’s welcomes new volunteers throughout the year and offers a wide range of roles to suit different interests, skills, and availability.

To find out about volunteering opportunities at St Christopher’s see here for more information.

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