Lily proves to be the perfect paws-cription for patients

A dog-tor is providing a valuable new service for patients with bleeding disorders.

Lily the therapy dog has joined the team at East Kent Hospitals, with her owner Becca Dodds, principal clinical psychologist with the haemophilia team.

 The floodle – a flat coat retriever cross poodle – has been specially trained to help patients, particularly those with needle phobia.

 And she is already proving her worth, according to 31-year-old Bethany Newland.

 Bethany, who lives in Hythe, is being investigated for high platelets in her blood, and needed to have a blood test at the haemophilia centre at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

 In the past, she has fainted when staff try to take her blood, and she was dreading the thought of the needle.

 But thanks to Lily, her appointment went smoothly.

 Bethany has a range of other health conditions including fibromyalgia and postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which causes her heart to beat faster when she stands up.

 She said: “I had a horrible feeling the morning of the blood test, and I felt sure I was going to faint again.

“But when I got to the centre, I saw Lily walking up the corridor. She came straight over to me, and Becca said she can sense when someone is anxious.

 “I absolutely love dogs, so I was so pleased to see her. Becca and Lily came into my appointment, and it made such a difference.

“Normally I’m shaking, I feel really hot and faint, and I can’t think about anything else, even if people are talking to me.

 “But this time I just stroked Lily and I didn’t think about what was going on. She made me so calm and she was so friendly, I loved having her there.”

Lily and Becca initially completed the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen dog training programme, and when she turned two she was registered with Therapy Dog Training UK.

Becca had to complete training modules and assignments before Lily faced a temperament test and her Pets as Therapy assessment, which she passed with flying colours. She then began visiting the haemophilia centre to get used to the surroundings, before meeting her first patients.

Becca said: “Lily is a great distraction for people, particularly those with needle phobia, and she can also help with emotional regulation.

“She’s already proving very popular and she has the perfect nature for her work. It’s been fantastic to see the difference she makes to our patients, and the team.”

Today (Thursday, 17 April) is World Haemophilia Day and Lily will be working with children with haemophilia to help ese their anxieties.