A THERAPY dog who visits children and staff at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has been given a Hero Award on the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Labrador Holly has been a therapy dog for more than six years thanks to her owner Barry Lea, from Eccleston, realising she had the right temperament.
She regularly goes into the hospital bringing joy to those in need.
Barry, 67, said: “I registered Holly with Pets As Therapy as she seemed to have the right temperament to me and they were thrilled with her and we’ve been doing this ever since.
“It’s not just a case of cuddles – though her official title on her Alder Hey card is Cuddle Manager – we work with clinicians to provide distraction techniques to children undergoing treatment and we help play specialists who use Holly to encourage the children to be active and from a mental health perspective also and to help people who have had a negative experience or have a fear of dogs.
“I just love doing it and Holly loves being fussed even though she’s very calm in herself.”
For all that she does, Holly has been recognised by CBBC’s Operation Ouch programme, a children’s TV programme which discusses medicine and medical issues in a relatable way for young people, and who gave awards out to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS yesterday, Wednesday, July 5.
Barry, who is also a volunteer for St John's Ambulance, said: “It’s lovely for Holly’s service to be recognised, she wasn’t the only one at Alder Hey recognised, but she was the only dog.
“I think what she offers is just so special and I know it means so much to people.
“We once helped a particular young lady who was very poorly and now she’s gone and got a tattoo of hollies and the leaves in honour of what Holly meant to her and her recovery.
“Now that is really special and it’s great to get awards for Holly but the joy we get just making these poorly kids, their parents and the hospital staff happy is the best reward really.”
Watch the episode on BBC iPlayer
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