Canine companion Lottie shortlisted for national award for having a pawsitive effect on patients
A much-loved four-legged therapist at Royal Derby Hospital is like a dog with a bone as she tries to sniff out votes in her bid to be crowned Pet’s As Therapy Dog of the Year.
Lottie is well-known to staff and patients on the wards at Royal Derby Hospital, where she works as part of the Pets As Therapy (P.A.T.) project – provided by our Patient Experience Team.
The six and half year old rescue pup is owned by Paul Warner who is hoping his beloved pet can get enough public votes to be crowned Pet’s As Therapy Dog of the Year.
Sadie, Staff Nurse on Ward 406, said: “I think the visits from Paul and Lottie are really important because it gives the patients a positive distraction and it provides them with a smile whilst in hospital – especially with confused patients with Dementia.
“A lot of families explain how their relatives had a pet and Lottie helps them remember those positive memories from their past.”
Paul, Lottie’s owner, who also suffers from Parkinson’s said, “It’s not only the patients who benefit from Lottie’s visits, I myself get a lot out of the visits as well, I enjoy doing it and it is good therapy for me as well because of my condition.”
To vote for Lottie to win Pets As Therapy Dog of the Year, click here. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the web page to get to the voting section and select ‘Lottie’.
