'The opportunity to create these moments for patients at the end of life, and their family members, is priceless'
A therapy dog has begun working with Marie Curie Belfast to help give terminally ill patients a sense of normality and ease anxiety.
“We’re a self-supporting organisation that provides visits to nursing homes, schools, special schools, the hospice, the Marie Curie hospice now, free of charge,” he said. “Guide dogs are working dogs, a therapy dog isn’t really as such a working dog,” he said. “A lot of it actually is down to the temperament of the dog in the first place. A lot of dogs wouldn’t be suitable to be a therapy dog.
Eimear McCooey is the fundraising management lead for Marie Curie in Northern Ireland. She said the therapy dogs scheme has a range of benefits for people in their care. “These furry visitors can be a non-judgmental listener or a quiet friend. Sandi sits calmly and lets patients and their families recollect and smile, offers them a paw but will also welcome a hug. She also brings a huge smile to our staff and everyone at the hospice.”
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