Local MP Alan Mak has visited Queen Alexandra Hospital, which serves the Havant Constituency, to meet Maggie, a Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog that has been working at the Hospital. Maggie lives on Hayling Island with her owner and handler Tess.
Pets as Therapy (PAT) is a national charity that enhances the health and wellbeing of thousands of people in communities across the UK. Volunteers and their friendly pets visit establishments such as care homes, hospitals, hospices, schools and prisons, where they bring smiles to many faces. People of all ages get the chance to strike up a conversation with someone, and give man’s best friend a cuddle at the same time.
Tess Balchin, who lives in Eastoke on Hayling Island, first began working with PAT 5 years ago with Maggie, aged 10. Together they make regular visits to Queen Alexandra Hospital where they are able to take some of the stress and strain off patients. Prior to their work at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Maggie and Tess also visited care homes on Hayling Island.
Mr Mak accompanied Maggie and other therapy dogs to the paediatrics ward, along with Penny Emerit, the Chief Executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. There, they met the matron and took a patient experience tour of the ward, greeting children along the way.
Tess Balchin, a PAT volunteer, said: “I was delighted to meet Alan Mak to show him the fantastic role that dogs like Maggie are playing at QA. Research shows that therapy dogs have a calming effect on patients at the Hospital and everybody is always delighted to see them on the ward.”
Local MP Alan Mak said: “Fantastic local volunteers like Tess and therapy dogs like Maggie are a great asset for Queen Alexandra Hospital and local patients. I enjoyed seeing the therapy dogs in action and saw the real benefits they bring to patient wellbeing and recovery.”
