- Poppy is used by the Pets As Therapy charity at Addenbrooke's Hospital
- The use of physiotherapy dogs can motivate young patients to recover faster
The care of dozens of sick and injured young people is being transformed by the NHS's first pediatric physiotherapy dog.
Nine-year-old labradoodle Poppy has become the star of the show at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, bringing joy to children regaining their strength or learning to walk again after broken bones, brain injuries and developmental problems.
Working with trained animals like Poppy – who, along with their owners, are volunteers through the charity Pets As Therapy – has been proven to motivate patients and speed up their recovery.
They have already been used in the rehabilitation of adult patients after stroke, but during a pilot project at Addenbrooke's Poppy was brought on board to see if she could help children.
Evie Evans, a 13-year-old from Harlow in Essex, was one of the first to enjoy Poppy's company. She could no longer walk due to complications caused by her Down syndrome after a near-fatal lung infection in July. But her confidence grew as she sat up in bed and played with Poppy, who was also there during Evie's more intensive therapy.
Poppy the labradoodle, pictured, is the first NHS physiotherapy dog for children to work at Addenbrook University Hospital in Cambridgeshire
Evie Evans, a 13-year-old from Harlow in Essex, was one of the first to enjoy Poppy's company
And Evie eventually made enough progress to take her first steps with Poppy on the leash. Evie's mother, Sara Evans, said: 'It was an amazing moment. It was thanks to Poppy that Evie stood next to her at the parallel bars for the first time. Poppy made Evie do things she wouldn't have done otherwise – we call it Poppy power.'
The three-month pilot, led by pediatric physiotherapist Jonny Littlewood, has now become a permanent part of the hospital and more than 40 children have now been supported by Poppy.
Mr Littlewood said: 'She is such a happy, curly-haired labradoodle who has an infectious energy. Poppy adapts to each child and can push patients harder to achieve their therapy goals faster.”
Poppy's owner Lisa Smart added: 'Sometimes the children find themselves in the darkest of times, and it's an absolute privilege to put a smile on their faces – and their parents' faces.'
Evie was unable to walk due to complications caused by her Down syndrome following a near-fatal lung infection in July
And Evie eventually made enough progress to take her first steps with Poppy on the leash. Evie's mother, Sara Evans, said: 'It was an amazing moment. It was thanks to Poppy that Evie stood next to her at the parallel bars for the first time. Poppy made Evie do things she otherwise wouldn't have done – we call it Poppy power'
The three-month pilot, led by pediatric physiotherapist Jonny Littlewood, has now become a permanent feature at Addenbrooke University Hospital in Cambridge (pictured), and more than 40 children have since been supported by Poppy