Pets providing ‘unconditional love’ to patients in hospital

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has partnered with charity organisation Pets As Therapy to bring the unique comfort provided by pets directly to patients in hospital.

Through the scheme, Gillian and her golden retriever/poodle mix, Pickle, along with Ivan and collie-cross Charlie, visit patients in the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, while Hazel and schnauzer Bailey meet with those receiving care within stroke services.

Explaining how the partnership with Pets As Therapy came about, the Northern Trust’s Volunteer Service Manager Paula Marshall, said: “It became apparent that patients were missing their pets at home, and we thought it would be therapeutic to have pets coming in to visit patients in some of our different hospital settings.

“It has gone down particularly well so far. There is no judgment from pets; just unconditional love and the patients have found it to be really beneficial.”

Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator Nicola McAleese emphasised the benefits that pets can offer to both patients and staff: “They bring a lot of emotional wellbeing, comfort and they just have a calming atmosphere when they go in and visit the patient, who may be in a lot of pain or discomfort that day.”

Additionally, the pets can evoke happy memories from patients who would have had pets or cared for animals previously.

“It has often been a conversation starter where the patients can strike up a connection with the volunteers and talk about their own pets, so it is just great that it provides a little bit of happiness during a difficult time,” Nicola added.

Before pets can visit patients in hospital, they must be approved by Pets As Therapy, who conduct a full suitability assessment. Once this has been finalised and approved, the Trust then match a service to both the volunteer and their pet.

If you feel your pet would be a suitable candidate for Pets As Therapy, more information is available on the charity’s website https://www.petsastherapy.org/. Alternatively, you can ring 01865 671440 or email info@petsastherapy.org.

Additionally, if you are interested in finding out more about other volunteering opportunities with the Northern Trust, please email volunteer.service@northerntrust.hscni.net or ring 07443314890 Monday and Thursday, 8am-6pm.

28th November 2025