Skip to content

'They're a fluffy hug when you really need one'

Tara Dolby
BBC News
Reporting fromStevenage
BBC A woman in a blue branded T-shirt is sitting beside a tan-coloured cocker spaniel wearing the yellow neckerchief of a pet therapy dog. BBC
Barney is one of the canine visitors to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage with his owner, Jill Draper

An animal therapy team at a Hertfordshire hospital has been shortlisted for a Time To Shine award for the work it does improving the wellbeing of patients and staff.

The team at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage regularly calls upon 15 dogs and two ponies, provided by charities, to calm people's fears and boost morale.

Its work is being recognised in the annual awards run by the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, after being nominated by the public.

Katherine Curry, who was recently discharged from the hospital after a two-week stay, said "seeing the dogs was always a highlight", adding "they're a fluffy hug when you really need a fluffy hug".

Eight women with lanyards wearing blue, black or white T-shirts. They are all holding dog leads. The dogs include an old English sheepdog, a Saluki, two spaniels and a Tibetan terrier.
The hospital works with three animal charities to bring joy to patients and staff

Sagen Zac-Varghese, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology, said the benefits the animals brought were enormous.

"It's impossible to quantify, but the effect these animals have on wellbeing is plain to see," she said.

A patient on ward 10 - Ken - who was visited by volunteer Lesley Cross and her dog Rosie, told the BBC: "My mental health was on the floor at the time and Rosie helped me to feel so much more positive about my situation."

A black spaniel with a stripe of wipe fur under the jaw. The dog is wearing a yellow collar and lead. A piece of hospital equipment and a blue curtain are in the background.
Rosie was one of the visitors to ward 10, where she met patient Ken

The Lister works with three animals charities - Pets As Therapy, Therapy Dogs Nationwide and Canine Concern.

Jane Shaw, who manages the therapy team, said all the animals were assessed to make sure they had the right temperament - and once they were in, the work was incredibly rewarding.

"I've seen dogs bring a sense of calm to difficult situations which has meant that tests can be carried out, or physio can be completed. It's wonderful to see," she said.

A Saluki dog called Zanzibar wearing a red harness and staring towards the left. A woman in a wheelchair is in blurred vision to the left of the dog.
Zanzibar the Saluki is one of the hospital therapy dogs

Dawn Sheldrick, who has been volunteering at the hospital for almost 11 years, said the rewards were endless.

"I bring my Saluki with me. I love the work and we regularly go to the children's ward where I give them photos of [dog] Zanzibar.

"When I'm out and about in Stevenage, I'll often get a child telling me they've got a picture of him on their fridge at home. I know that what we're doing is making a difference."

The trust's awards ceremony takes place in July.

Hospital dogs making a 'huge difference' in Herts

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links