>June Events / charities / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Health & Wellbeing / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk May 28, 2018
Does your dog have the waggiest tail? Perhaps you have an awesome old timer or hairiest hound?
Well, paws at the ready for Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s summer fete on Saturday 16th June with this year’s theme Woof, Wellies and Wellbeing.
The popular annual event will be held, as always, on the hospital’s Colney Lane site, and as well as a whole host of attractions and entertainment, for the first time there will be a chance for visitors to bring along their dog to take part in a fun dog show organised by Beachside Agility Group.
Sponsored by Adroit Dog Grooming and Dog Boutique, there will be a range of categories including best rescue dog, best young handler and a chance to test your dog’s skills at the rally obedience class.
The dog-themed fete comes as the hospital welcomed its first Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs earlier this year when they visited the patients on Heydon Ward. The PAT team will also be at the fete and will be demonstrating what they look for in a PAT dog.
Taking time out from Miss England preparations, Natasha Adams, who was recently crowned Miss Norfolk, will be at the show with her own pampered pooch, Ruby.
The NNUH nurse will take part in the first of a number of short dog walks around the outside of the hospital grounds.
The fete will also have a wide variety of stalls, including dog and animal-themed stalls, food and drink, a BBQ, games and entertainment from the Rock Choir, dancers from Busybodies stage school and the hospital choir.
Also visiting will be Darth Vadar, Storm Troopers and Bumble Bee from the Transformers.
Proceeds from the dog show will go to N&N Hospitals Charity and Fundraising Manager Louise Cook said: “We are delighted at how this year’s fete is shaping up – we have received some fantastic support from individuals, organisations and companies who have volunteered to help us out on what is our first dog-themed event.
“Everyone is welcome to come along for what we’re certain will be a great day out, whether you come with a four-legged friend or not.”
The fete starts at 12pm until 4pm and there’s free parking on the main hospital site. More details will be released in the coming weeks, but for more information about taking par tin the event, please contact [email protected]
Therapy dogs to be introduced at NNUH
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) is delighted to be introducing the Pets As Therapy (PAT) programme to help promote wellbeing and support a quicker recovery for patients.
The hospital has teamed up with Pets As Therapy (PAT), a charity founded in 1983 where dedicated volunteers and their calm and friendly pets visit people in a variety of settings so they can benefit from animal assisted therapy (AAT).
Initially, the scheme will be offered to inpatients on the Trust’s Neurology ward, with visits taking place following a referral from the ward Sister on areas identified as suitable by the NNUH Infection Prevention and Control team.
Andree Glaysher, Ward Sister for Heydon Neurology said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be introducing Pets as Therapy to our Neurology and OPM wards. Staying in hospital can often be a stressful time for patients and having the dogs on the wards will be a great way to bring joy and companionship and support the wellbeing of our patients.”
Sally Dyson, Voluntary Services Manager at NNUH said: “Research has provided solid evidence that dogs can have a very positive and beneficial effect on a patient’s wellbeing and assist a speedier recovery. The companionship of a dog and their handler can decrease loneliness, stimulate conversation, encourage movement and social interaction. We’re very pleased to be introducing this programme to NNUH and so grateful to those at the charity for sparing their time to support our patients.”
The first PAT Teams to visit patients at NNUH will be Buddy and his owner Angela, Abbee and her owner Wendy, Minty and her owner Sophia, Lily and her owner Anne plus Stella with her handler Carole.
All PAT Teams related to this service are registered with the national charity, PAT. All owners and handlers will complete an additional Trust level recruitment process, and all PAT dogs are required to be fully vaccinated, temperament and health assessed prior to beginning their PAT dog duties.
Carole Adam, Volunteer Area Coordinator and Dog Assessor for PAT Norwich said: “PAT is the UK’s leading charity who provides animal assisted therapy. We enhance health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers with their behaviourally assessed animals. PAT Teams continue to make a significant difference to the lives of people in Norfolk and we hope we can bring a little joy to inpatients at NNUH.”
If you are interested in volunteering with Pets As Therapy and feel your pet could bring a little joy to someone as a therapy animal, please visit www.petsastherapy.org or contact Carole Adam via [email protected]
