There were plenty of smiles across University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) when Ben, a friendly King Charles Spaniel therapy dog, and his owner Ken paid a special visit to patients, visitors and staff.
Ken volunteers with Ben once a month to visit UHL, offering companionship, providing comfort and brightening the day for those they meet. On their most recent visit, they spent time in Maternity and the adult and children’s emergency departments, bringing smiles and a little extra comfort to patients, families and hospital staff along the way.
Therapy dogs are known for the positive impact they can have in healthcare settings. Spending time with animals can help people feel calmer, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and provide a welcome distraction during what can often be a difficult time.
Eileen Cunningham, Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate at UHL, helped organise Ben’s visit to Maternity.
She said: “We wanted to bring something special to our maternity areas that would brighten people’s day and create a few moments of calm. The response was wonderful, and it was clear how much Ben’s visit was appreciated by everyone he met.
“A big thank you to Ken and Ben for generously volunteering their time and helping to create moments of comfort, connection and calm for patients, visitors and staff across UHL.”
Interested in volunteering at UHL?
Volunteers play an important role in supporting patients, visitors, and staff across our hospitals. Whether you’re interested in becoming a general volunteer or would like to find out more about volunteering with a therapy dog, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our volunteering page for more information on the opportunities available and how to get involved.