Hospice staff fall in love with the dog who won’t leave patient’s side

11:02am Thursday 28th December 2006

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A POODLE who refuses to leave her owner's side has proved a big hit with nurses and visitors at the new St Richard's Hospice.

Eight-year-old Lucy follows the every move of patient Maggie Bellamy, of Worcester, who is staying at the hospice while undergoing specialist treatment for cancer.

Lucy snuggles up on a rug by Maggie's bed, or goes for short walks in the gardens of the hospice, in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

Ms Bellamy said: "I thought it was incredible when I was told that Lucy could come and stay with me in the hospice. She frets over me, but is very well-behaved and everyone fell in love with her. She's good therapy for other patients too."

Lucy is not the only dog found padding around the hospice. Dogs belonging to Pets as Therapy also pop in with their owners to visit patients.

Fraser Meek, manager of the hospice in-patient unit, said: "We are happy to welcome a patient's pet to be brought along either for a visit, or to stay in the room where possible. Visits from gentle pets help the patients relax and add to the homely atmosphere of the hospice."

Lucy joined patients and staff for their first Christmas in the new hospice, which opened in October.

Fund-raisers are now hard at work generating the £2.8m which needs to be raised this year to provide the ongoing specialist care and support for patients and families.