GOOD Hope Hospital Charity are calling out to dog owners for volunteers to join their Pets in Hospital Appeal.
To mark International Dog Day on August 26 the charity is on the hunt for new four-legged friends to help relax patients and bring them some comfort and familiarity while away from home.
The Pets in Hospital scheme helps bring a friendly face to patients during their time in hospital; with dogs and their owners coming to visit wards across the hospitals in the University Hospitals Birmingham Trust, each week.
The Charity currently has volunteers visiting patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands and Solihull Hospital, where the dogs and their owners bring smiles to patients and their families’ faces and remind them of home.
Nicki Evans, a Pets in Hospital Volunteer at Solihull Hospital, said: “We love visiting the wards and departments at the hospital. Catie (Nicki’s dachshund) brings a smile to everyone’s face and really helps to boost their mood – it’s a lovely thing to do.”
Gemma Hackett, Pets in Hospital Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: “It is a genuine pleasure to go to a Pets in Hospital visit. It’s really obvious how much patients enjoy seeing the dogs, and how much the dogs love the attention!”
No experience is needed to volunteer, just a friendly, approachable manner and a love of meeting new people.
Full training is provided for new volunteers.
All dogs participating in Pets in Hospitals as a volunteer must always be accompanied by their owner, be at least three years old and in good health.
Click here for more or to volunteer.
