The benefits of a visit from Dodger Dog
There’s evidence to suggest that cuddling a dog releases ‘the cuddle chemical’ (aka oxytocin) and can improve a person’s mood and mental health. So it’s no wonder that Barts Health staff love when they’re visited by Dodger – a pet therapy dog – and his fabulous owner Karen.
“I wish we could have a visit every month”
Victoria Turone, Family Support Worker, Rainbow Centre for Children and Young People, Newham Hospital
“Working in a hospital, having access to a therapy dog is really beneficial. He is such a placid dog who takes everything in his stride, and he has a very calming nature that’s contagious. Whenever staff know that Dodger is visiting you can guarantee a smile – there’s such excitement that he’s in the building! For me, to have even 10 minutes stroking him and playing with him is really calming – I wish we could have a visit every month!
“Before the pandemic, Dodger was allowed to visit our children and young people ward. It really was fantastic to see the children completely forget about their illnesses and problems during the time he visited them – for them, it was magical to have a dog on the ward to visit them and was completely unexpected! They loved it!
“Now that things are starting to get back to ‘normal’ I really hope we can start having more visits from Dodger again. He really is a credit to his owner Karen – they are both absolutely fantastic at what they do and they’re very much loved by staff at Newham Hospital.”
“He really boosts staff morale”
Susan Brosnan, Ward Manager 14E, The Royal London Hospital
“It’s great having visits from Dodger. When he comes to visit, staff stop what they are doing and come over to say hi to him. He lifts people’s spirits on the wards and everyone values the positive effects of a visit from Dodger!
“And it’s not just staff who love having him visit – patients do too. When he was able to visit them, patients would wake up when they heard him come on to the ward, reach out for him and smile. For a lot of our patients, including those with dementia, he also brings back memories of their pets – the ones at home and the ones they had before. We greatly appreciate the visits that Dodger and his kind owner Karen make to the 14th floor at The Royal London Hospital. He really boosts staff morale.”
“He was a welcome break”
Joe Dallman, Therapy Radiographer, Radiotherapy Department, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital 
“Dodger was so friendly and brought a smile to the face of every one of us when he visited. He was a welcome break from the stresses of work and made us all forget about the difficulties we are all experiencing. It would be great to have him back again soon!”
“He’s put a smile on everyone’s faces”
Fiedlia Essell-Uwagbae, nursing lead, NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre, The Street, Westfield
“The staff at the NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre on The Street at Westfield just love it when Dodger comes to visit us. He puts a smile on everyone’s faces and helps alleviate stress on the busy days. Plus, he’s brilliant with people who are nervous about getting their vaccine.”
Read more: Dodger loves the attention