The Rockinghorse Wellbeing Service begins new Pets as Therapy sessions for children in the Royal Alex
When you’re stuck in hospital you miss a lot of things, especially if you’re young. Whether it’s going to school, seeing your friends or playing with your pet, being away from the things you enjoy in normal life can make time in hospital really drag.
Our Wellbeing Service, funded by the Cullum Family Trust, aims to help. The specialist service organises lots of different activities and events to help make children and families feel more relaxed, calm and less anxious.
It might be using special activity packs, organising musical performances in The Alex, or a new project to bring some furry friends into the wards for children and staff to enjoy.
We have begun a new partnership with Pets as Therapy (PAT) to regularly bring therapy dogs into the hospital. The visits, currently taking place every two weeks, are being delivered by PAT volunteer Luisa and her lovely little dog Oscar.
But Oscar isn’t your everyday pooch. He has been specially trained and has had his temperament assessed so he’s absolutely right to work in a hospital setting.
The sessions offer children, young people and their families comforting moments of connection and joy alongside their clinical care, all delivered under strict safety and infection‑control guidelines.
Anyone who has had a pet, or loves animals, will already understand the therapeutic benefits they provide. And this is no different in a hospital setting.
Visits provide a calming, comforting presence, a positive distraction from a long wait or scary medical procedures, and of course, a moment of joy, connection and normality.
Sessions are short, gentle and child‑led, and children and young people can stroke, sit with or simply look at the dog, whatever feels most comfortable for them.
But above all, they are designed to complement, not interrupt, clinical care.
After the first few sessions, the feedback has been really positive. Patients and parents have responded that they feel happier, calmer, and less stressed. They have also highlighted how important these moments are, particularly during difficult periods of hospital treatment.
Ellie Johnson, from the Wellbeing Service, said, “We are so delighted to be bringing Pets as Therapy visits to The Alex. Luisa and her dog Oscar have been very well received by children and young people, siblings, parents, and staff.
“The sessions offer a calm, supportive environment where people can interact with Oscar. They really help people feel less anxious and encourage a bit of positive social engagement. People have told us how comforting and enjoyable the visits are, particularly for those who may find traditional support more challenging.”
And Luisa has really enjoyed the visits that she and Oscar have done already. She said, “I’m lucky enough to have a super friendly little dog who just loves being sociable and who seems to have the gift of spreading a little joy wherever he goes.
“As I’m now retired, I thought it would be a lovely thing to be able to share Oscar’s gift with others who might be in need of a little lift. We both really love our volunteering and find it truly rewarding.”
These sessions are set to continue bringing a bit of furry fun into the hospital so if you’re interested in learning more about how your pet could become a therapy animal, you can visit the Pets as Therapy website. Alternatively, if you already have a dog registered with Pets as Therapy and would like to volunteer your time, you are welcome to get in touch with us here.
And for more information on our Wellbeing Service, just click here.
