Patients and colleagues at Watford General Hospital are enjoying visits from some very special volunteers - helping to boost morale, lower stress levels and lift spirits.
West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have welcomed therapy dogs - including breeds such as a Northern Inuit, a Newfoundland, a Dachshund, a Cockapoo and a French Bulldog - to the hospital since the start of last year.
The programme has gone from strength to strength, with the therapy dogs and their owners dedicating over 200 hours of service to the hospital after proving to be a huge hit with patients and staff.
The friendly dogs – who all have their own staff ID badges on their collars – are now a familiar sight on the wards, and much in demand.
Riley – who is a Northern Inuit dog – is one of the five therapy dogs who visit the hospital on a regular basis. He visits all areas of the hospital, both clinical and non-clinical, providing comfort to patients and staff.
Like all the Trust’s therapy dogs, Riley is certified by Pets as Therapy (PAT) - a national charity that assesses the temperament of dogs before they become volunteers.
As a therapy dog, Riley provides an array of benefits for patients - offering comfort, reducing stress and helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
The bond between a therapy dog and a patient provides a sense of companionship that is especially beneficial in a hospital environment.
For colleagues at the hospital, Riley offers crucial emotional time off from the demands of their job. Their calming presence helps staff manage the stress and emotional toll of working in a high-pressure environment.
This contributes to better patient care, as happier and more relaxed staff are better equipped to perform their duties with compassion and focus.
Janine Carter-Savingear is Riley’s owner and brings Riley into Watford General Hospital every week to volunteer. She said: "I think volunteering is very rewarding for both me and Riley. Riley is a working breed, so he needs the mental stimulation.
"He’s a very kind and affectionate dog. He loves to interact with everybody, not just necessarily people who are in need, but he seems to sense when somebody needs to destress.
"Riley is like a magnet and as soon as anyone sees him, they want to cuddle him and make a fuss of him! He, of course, loves this."
Gabriel Duduta, Deputy Lead for Voluntary Services, said that: "Therapy dogs bring a healing presence that medicine alone cannot provide, transforming hospital rooms into spaces of comfort, hope, and connection. The joy and satisfaction on patients' faces is priceless."
Watch the video to view a day in the life of Riley at Watford General Hospital.