66 HEALTH AND WELLBEING


LIQUID SUNSHINE IS THE RIGHT MEDICINE


Alfie the cockapoo was the star turn of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Conference - delivering his own special brand of ‘liquid sunshine’.


The East Lancashire Hospital Trust therapy dog provides love and support across all hospital departments. As a puppy he also had the honour of meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Clitheroe Hospital in January last year.


Alfie shared the conference stage with his handler Rachel Fielding and hospital chaplain Canon Andrew Horsfall.


Rachael explained the impact Alfie, who also has his own Instagram page, has on hospital staff and his work raising morale. She said: “I liken it to walking around the hospital with liquid sunshine, that is what it feels like. He makes people smile.”


Rachael added: “The number of staff we meet who say, ‘I’ve had the worst day and this is what I need’.


Canon Horsfall also highlighted Alfie’s important role with patients. Some just sit and stroke him, helping them to relax, in other situations Alfie also “creates a safe space where people are comfortable to talk.”


He said: “Alfie enables difficult conversations to take place. Young people speak through the dog if they are scared to speak to somebody.”


And he added: “Sometimes we are too quick to want to fix something, instead of just listening.”


More conference coverage on page 68


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