Hospital patients in Stockport were cheered up recently with visits from two canine companions.

For the past year, cockapoo therapy dogs Paddy and Pippa have been paying regular visits to patients at Stepping Hill Hospital and the Devonshire centre for neuro-rehabilitation patients.

Owners Charli and Aaron Tighe came up with the idea after a friend in the Devonshire centre had commented on how much he loves seeing Paddy and Pippa - from then on, the owners decided to get more involved.

This dog duo has been very popular on all the wards they have visited - the children's ward, cancer wards, stroke units, and more.

Speaking of the visits, owner Charli said: "It's fantastic seeing the smiles of both patients and staff. As soon as they see Paddy and Pippa, people's faces light up.

"People want to share stories about their own dogs. In a time where people can be feeling extremely low, these visits give a bit of joy and happiness.

Paddy and Pippa are loved by both staff and patients (Image - Stockport NHSFT)

"Sometimes patients cannot articulate how they feel, but just by their body language, we know the visit has had a positive impact on them."

Pet therapy is a fairly established phenonmenon, and has been found to have a calming effect, even reducing stress and alleviating pain.

Paddy and Pippa are two of eight different pet therapy volunteer dogs who visit patients at the hospital, organised with the help of the volunteer service together with the Pets as Therapy charity.

Charli added "It is incredible what the power of a visit from a dog can do, providing unconditional love and comfort in a time when you are bored and unwell. By having a visit from a loving pet, it provides a change in their day and creates joy and happiness.

"For the staff, it provides a moment of light relief. They work so hard and to have a moment of kisses and cuddles during a busy and stressful shift I hope gives them the boost they need to continue doing the amazing work that they do."

If you have a friendly dog and are interested in therapy visits yourself, then check out the national Pets as Therapy website or call the hospital volunteer's office on 0161 419 5400.

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