Channel 4’s Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, aka The Supervet, visited Heart of Kent Hospice recently along with local therapy ponies Dame Maggie and Princess Rose to film an episode of the show.
The week-long ‘Animal Rescue Live Supervet Special will feature the hospice in the episode to be broadcast today, Wednesday 14 August at 8pm.
Former Blue Cross ponies Maggie and Rose regularly spend time with the patients, their carers and families at the hospice. During his visit, Noel accompanied them along with their owner Alex Taskin, while learning about the range of services the hospice provides, and meeting volunteers and members of staff.
Kerry Harrison, Heart of Kent Hospice’s Patient Services Director, said: “Everyone at the hospice was very excited about the filming. Noel was extremely interested in the work that the hospice does, and how the therapy ponies are one of the ways that we provide therapeutic and sensory benefits to patients and families living and coming to terms with a diagnosis of a terminal illness.
“Noel went out of his way to really spend quality time with everyone and his visit will be a lasting memory for many. When Noel, Maggie and Rose entered our Making Memories group, for people with dementia, there was a clear buzz of excitement and anticipation.”
Maggie and Rose’s owner Alex Taskin said: “We adopted Maggie and her daughter Rose three years ago. They had been handed into Blue Cross as their previous owner could no longer care for them. We soon found that these two have a very special talent, we realised they were so empathetic, so we started introducing them to therapeutic work with some autistic clients, as well as students from the London Pupil Referral Unit, who are unable to attend mainstream school.
“This was just a small step to start taking them into a hospice – which is where the magic really happens. The happiness and solace they bring to everyone in this environment is so special. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face.”
For more information visit Heart of Kent Hospice
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