Louis the yellow labrador volunteers at Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital, a large and busy hospital serving Portsmouth and the surrounding area.

Today, Louis is joining a monthly session for those who serve or have served in the military. Led by Keith Malcolm, Armed Forces Covenant Lead Nurse, it is a welcoming space, just off the canteen, where people can relax with people who have experienc of and understand life in the services. The sessions are open to patients, relatives and carers. 

Louis is just one of around 15 or so of the Pets as Therapy team of volunteers at QA, whose contribution to hospital life was recognised, uniquely, by the Volunteer Award at the Parliamentary NHS Awards 2023. They were the only non-human team shortlisted.

In this rather gentle episode, we pad through the hospital with Louis on his way to work and get a sense of the impact of his presence on patients, relatives and carers through his interactions. 

Other therapy dog episodes: 

• Sprout the care home visitor
• Phantom the secondary school support worker
• Millie the hospital visitor
• Patricia Bland on the qualities needed to volunteer as a therapy dog.

More dogs with interesting jobs.

Find out more about volunteering with Pets as Therapy.

Do you work your dog or dog?

If you'd like to come on the show, Kate loves to hear about dogs with interesting jobs! Get in touch with her on team@shineradio.uk. 

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022