Pooch proves the perfect festive tonic
THIS is Alfie, the lovable pug bringing joy to sick children this Christmas.
The squidgy pooch has put a smile on the faces of dozens of ill youngsters in the run up to the festive season.
Alfie isn’t your average dog. He’s a therapy pet - and it’s his job to help make people feel better.
Alfie spent a day at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. But he didn’t just visit Christmas - he does it all-year-round. Each week, he pops in to visit sick children for some much-needed cuddles.
The three-year-old pug is a social media sensation. He boasts 85,000 followers on Instagram alone.
Alfie loves to dress up - and in true festive spirit, he showed on his festive wardrobe during his latest visit - from an elf outfit to a reindeer costume. He even had a Santa costume and a Christmas jumper.
His owner Suzy Emsden, a paediatric intensive care transport consultant, said he loves his visits to the hospital - and that it is amazing to see children’s eyes light up when he walks into a room.
“Their faces are so happy because they just don’t expect to see a dog in a hospital environment,” she said.
“As one of the older children said he likes Alfie because he doesn’t ask him any questions, he just comes and gives him a cuddle and doesn’t want anything back and I think that’s what makes a big difference.
“The other thing is that Alfie doesn’t see disability or illness, he just sees a person and goes up for a hug and he’s not bothered by drips or bandages or beeps and things like that as he’s used to all the noises.”
As well as RMCH, Alfie also visits Wythenshawe Hospital, Stepping Hill, and the Manchester Royal Infirmary.
He is one of a number of therapy dogs at the Manchester University NHS Trust.
Pets As Therapy is a charity with around 6,000 dogs and 200 cats that visit schools, hospitals, care home and hospitals.
Suzy added: “You often find that in the hospital, families who have been in a while miss their own pets.
“We got Alfie when my daughter was very ill and he came to hospital appointments with us.
“When she was better we just wondered whether or not he could help other people as we’d seen the difference he’d made to her. That’s how we got involved in Pets As Therapy.”