Beautiful moment between hospital patient Alan and Rolo to be aired as part of new series of Channel 5’s The Dog Rescuers.
The heartwarming moment a Pets As Therapy dog brings a smile to the face of a recovering hospital patient brought tears to presenter Angellica Bell’s face in the new series of Channel 5’s The Dog Rescuers, which kicks off this week.
The TV presenter - new to The Dog Rescuers team for series six - joined therapy dog Rolo for his weekly rounds at Southend University Hospital, in Essex, with his owner Claire Dean to find out the huge impact he has on the recoveries of adults and children in the wards.
Four-year-old springer spaniel cross poodle Rolo was one of 30 dogs and puppies rescued by the RSPCA in December 2013 from a puppy farm in South Ockenden. He was extremely weak and poorly when he was taken in by the charity’s Essex South, Southend & District branch for round-the-clock veterinary care and rehabilitation.
More than four years later and Rolo has come on leaps and bounds from the sick, weak, frightened pup he once was. After getting his second chance at life, the happy little dog has spent the last three years giving something back via Pets As Therapy.
Claire said: “Rolo is such a happy, friendly, loving dog that we knew he’d be an incredible asset to the Pets As Therapy team - and he’s proved a huge hit everywhere we work together.
“We visit Southend University Hospital every week to help patients on the road to recovery and bring them some comfort at, often, very difficult times.
“Rolo and I are also the first and only partnership allowed into the children’s ward which is incredibly humbling.
“We’ll visit specific patients who ask to see us and he brings joy to the patients as well as family members, visitors and the staff. It’s amazing to be there with him and see how much happiness he can bring to people, some of whom are facing life’s biggest challenges.”
Joined by The Dog Rescuers team earlier this year, Rolo, Claire and Angellica went to spend some time with Alan Brackett and his son, Richard. Six weeks earlier, the pair were at a Chelsea football match at Stamford Bridge, in London, when Alan became unsteady on his feet and weak on the left-hand side of his body.
“We rushed to Charing Cross Hospital to discover he’d had a major bleed on the right side of his head,” Richard tells Angellica. “Rolo brings him a bit of normality [to hospital]. He loves dogs, he’s got a dog at home.
“My dad is loving [the therapy with Rolo], and the dog’s loving it too.”
Alan spends time stroking Rolo, giving him treats and speaking to him and Claire. Richard said the time with Rolo has been “invaluable” for his dad’s recovery which has seen him begin to regain the use of his feet.
Angellica said: “Seeing Rolo and Claire at work whilst being at the hospital was incredible - I was amazed at how much impact therapy dogs can actually have.
“I met some wonderful people on the ward including Alan and I was touched to hear his story and see the joy in his eyes when he saw Rolo. It was truly an emotional day.”
As well as his amazing work at the hospital, Rolo has also taken part in the Read2Dogs scheme at a local primary school and visits residents at a nearby care home.
Claire added: “I’m incredibly proud of Rolo and how far he’s come, from the puppy farm rescue who was near death’s door to the impeccably behaved, well-adjusted dog he is today. He really is making a difference to people’s lives and he’s loving every second of it - it’s just fantastic to see.
“I hope it goes to show how wonderful rescue dogs can be and, if given the right home and encouragement in life, how they can go on to achieve the most amazing things and help people at the same time.”
To help the RSPCA rescue, rehabilitate and rehome more dogs like Rolo please donate by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/give.