I have started this thread on Hattie's PAT work which I will update on a regular basis, I hope you will enjoy reading it Today Hattie and I went for a chat with the lovely lady in charge at the Hospice in town, our chat turned into a 2 hour visit We were thrown in the deep end when she decided within 2 minutes we were in We went to the Day Care room and chatted with lovely people, just really lovely, they were thrilled to see Hattie and loved every second with her. Hattie was the talk of the building and one by one Nurses, volunteers and staff arrived to say hello and we were invited up onto the wards. We were lucky to meet more lovely patients and their families. One particular lady burst into tears when Hattie sat beside her whilst she made a big fuss of her, she told me her dog had died and how much she missed him, she had a photo of him on her table and his collar heartbreaking Another elderly gentleman loved chatting about his two Labradors whilst making a huge fuss of Hattie and when the Ward Sister and I left his room she thanked us as he had hardly spoken since he arrived Hattie was a complete star and everyone loved her and asked me to bring her back. Lots of photo's were taken for their Newsletter which Hattie was more than happy to pose for, so Hattie is now their official PAT dog. They have asked us to visit every Friday so I am absolutely thrilled to bits. Considering this was Hattie's first morning at work she was brilliant Note to self, must remember to bring Hattie's treats as low level tables with plates of Digestives biscuits on is very tempting I have to confess that I did find it extremely emotional and did shed a few tears, so I need to work on keeping my emotions in check which is pretty difficult for me as I am a complete softie. What an amazing morning we had meeting such wonderful people going through the most difficult time, each and every one of them had a huge smile on their face. Puts life into perspective that's for sure. Hattie brightened up their day and I couldn't be more proud of her Thank you xxx
Oh Helen, I'm lost for words but so happy reading your post - it's just so positive and caring, and yes you made me shed a few tears as well. I will look forward to hearing the next instalment - bless you and Hattie for bringing a ray of sunshine into people's lives xx
Oh Hattie, you are an angel (you too Helen) . Such a great story and I can't wait for the next instalment.
That's wonderful. Having something to look forward too from the patients perspective is also important, so Fridays become very special for all
It did bring tears to my eyes to read of your experience, but what JOY it brought to the patients. A friend was helping to train a dog for PAT and they took it to a home, one patient talked to the dog and then to the friend and had a 'proper conversation', the matron of the home said the woman had never spoken since she had been there. Dogs are so valuable. Well done you and Hattie to bring such happiness to people xxx
This is such a worthwhile thing to do. I remember when my mum was in a cottage hospital for several months, how it cheered her up when my sister was allowed to take her dog to visit.
oh Hattie, what a fabulous first day you had. Well done to both of you, such a valuable thing you are doing.
Reading this has put a lump in my throat. What a fantastic thing you and Hattie are doing. It sounds like the residents really benefitted from it I look forward to reading about up all your visits. Well done Helen x
Well done both of you. Brought a tear to my eye too. Don't worry about getting emotional, staff in a hospice are used to this, and if they are worth their salt, used to supporting each other through the experiences encountered working in such a valuable but emotional environment. xxxxxx
Wow Helen. What a wonderful, if emotional, first mornings work you and hattie had. It's wonderful what your both doing you must be so proud of Hattie and I'm proud of you both. They will all be looking forward to your Friday visits from now on.
Pass the tissues , such an emotional post Helen , but so very lovely ,how rewarding for both of you x
Great great start to yours and Hattie's PAT work. Lovely to read your post, a truly wonderful thing for you and Hattie to experience together, very rewarding too
Thank you Jac that has made me feel a lot better about crying. I have to say the Nurse that took us round was really good and discretely passed me a tissue and told me not to worry it's normal x
