Young patients enjoy festive visit from Battersea dogs
Paul O’Grady heads to Great Ormond Street with rescue dogs
Paul O'Grady introduced the children to some of Battersea's waggiest-tailed residents.
Children being treated at the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) recently enjoyed a festive visit from Paul O’Grady and some of the furry residents at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Staff at the charity joined Paul as he introduced the children to some of Battersea’s waggiest-tailed dogs, all of which are hoping for a new home in time for Christmas.
"It was wonderful to see the children's eyes light up when we arrived with the Battersea dogs,” said Paul, who is an ambassador for the charity and presents its TV show, For the Love of Dogs.
“I know how much they will be missing their own pets. Some of the children had drawn pictures of their favourite dogs, and they were absolutely made up to have a furry friend sit by their side. The dogs loved the attention, and it was such an honour to meet with the children, their families and the hospital staff, some of who will be working over Christmas."
Jack Russell terrier Wilma came to Battersea in September after being found in a field with two puppies.
Paul met 11-year-old Thomas Fox, who has been a GOSH patient since being diagnosed with leukaemia this year. He was undergoing preparation for a bone marrow transplant before Christmas.
Thomas’s dad Roger said: “We’re so grateful to the hospital for everything they do, and the love and care given by their staff. It was an absolute pleasure to be involved with this festive visit, especially as this is one of Thomas’s favourite programmes! It was a real boost for all of us and Thomas so enjoyed meeting Paul and having a Christmas cuddle with the dogs.”
One of the dogs to visit the hospital was Jack Russell terrier Wilma, who arrived at the charity in September. She was found in a field with two puppies and was trembling, underweight and suffering from a skin condition. It is not known how she came to be in the field, but staff say she had clearly been through a lot, as she crawled around on her belly in a gesture of submission.
After months of treatment and TLC, staff say Wilma is a different dog - happy, healthy and ready to find a new home. She joined four other dogs for the trip to GOSH - Akita puppy Sapphire, eight-month-old spaniel Jet and older dogs Lola and Anya.
“The festive visit was such a lovely and uplifting experience," said Nicola Grinstead, the hospital's deputy chief executive.
GOSH says it works hard to make the hospital a home-from-home for patients and their families. Festive celebrations this year include patient parties, decorating wards, putting out stockings and Christmas lunch for patients.
The hospital’s deputy chief executive Nicola Grinstead said: “The festive visit was such a lovely and uplifting experience - both for our GOSH patients who are battling complex illnesses and for our fantastic staff who are working at the hospital over Christmas time.”
Images courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
