Disabled therapy dogs bring joy at brain care unit

Two disabled therapy dogs are making "a huge difference" to patients at a brain injury unit, according to the charity that runs it.

Border collie Ralph and Poochon Zoe regularly visit Stagenhoe Park near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, which is run by Brainkind.

Zoe needs a wheelchair after she was hit by a car and Ralph is deaf and partially blind, meaning "the residents can identify with them," said volunteer coordinator Fiona Beeming.

One patient, Ross, said: "We have disabilities and they have disabilities. We can communicate - we have a bond."

Zoe was brought to the UK from China, where her owners put her out on the street following a car accident, that left her with a broken spine.

Helen Lomax fosters disabled dogs and decided to adopt Zoe and Ralph and register them as therapy dogs.

"We visit all sorts of places – care homes, hospitals, mental health units, prisons, and schools.

"Dogs are amazing for getting children to read, who were struggling."

She said all therapy dogs have to pass an assessment and "be calm and not jump up".

"The dogs absolutely love the visits. These two get super excited – when their lanyards come out, Zoe runs round in circles," Ms Lomax said.

Katie used to run a PR business before a horse riding accident in 2022 left her with a severe brain injury.

It took a year for Katie to start speaking again and begin eating independently.

Today, she is able to walk short distances with a frame, and said the therapy dogs brought her joy.

"When I see them it cheers me up so much, because they bring such loyalty and such unconditional love.

"They're such lovely animals," she said.

Ms Beeming said the therapy dogs "made a huge difference" to patients' physical and emotional wellbeing.

"For someone with a brain injury, being able to put his arm down, to feed the dog, is a huge task. It gives a great sense of accomplishment."

She said one resident who was bed-bound "changed" when he saw the dogs.

"When I walk into the room, he doesn't pay attention, but when I walk in with Helen and Ralph, he is excited - you can see it in his hand movements and eyes."

She said another resident struggles to control her arm movements "is able to put her arm around Ralph".

"It's like they know each other, it's like Ralph understands her," she said.

Ms Lomax said there was "a big recruitment drive" for more therapy dogs, which are "desperately needed".

"There are so many people requesting visits and we don't have enough dogs.

"They're so incredible, they have something innate, they just know when a human needs them to be there – and bring a sense of calm and comfort," she said.

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