Dogs know best!

I volunteer with my Pets As Therapy dog Kona. I wanted to help patients in their recovery by meeting my fluffy well-natured little girl as well as meeting and talking to people who do not have many visitors. Patients miss their pets whilst they are in hospital and this can also make them very upset.

One of the many memorable moments for me happened when we were visiting a patient who had lost her speech as a result of a stroke. She clearly spoke when I entered the ward with Kona. For the first time she uttered a complete short sentence! Her husband said that the visits from Kona made her day and being able to stroke the dog calmed her whilst going through a very traumatic experience. Seeing the look of joy on both their faces when I arrived and she spoke to me was priceless. One of the reasons I volunteer!