Teddy's Blog 2007

For some years, my handler has been supporting a person with psychosis who is occasionally an in-patient in The Bradgate Mental Health Unit. After gaining permission from the nursing staff, we went on what was essentially a private visit to Ashby Ward. When we arrived it was a quiet place, but soon other curious patients came to stroke me and play with me. By the time we left, the atmosphere was relatively more lively and there were quite a few smiling faces.

My Mummy and Daddy took me down to Cornwall for 10 days to walk on the South West Coast Path. We walked 5 miles every day, up cliffs and then down to the beach and into the rolling surf. You will be able to see a new photo of me below, in St Ives.

On 25th February, I was 8 years old and officially became 'a senior', but there is nothing like good food, exercise and a great job to keep one feeling like a pup.

Di instructs Teddy on his hospital duties

On Thursday 8th March, my handler and I were invited by Helen Smith of 'The People's Forum' to their one day Event. It was held at One Devonshire Place, near the station in Leicester. 'The People's Forum'is an advocacy and empowerment group supporting mental health service users in Leicestershire and Rutland. We gave pet-assisted therapy taster sessions in the morning for service users, then in the afternoon my handler gave a talk to some support workers. We met lots of fascinating people. Helen Smith went to the trouble of cooking me a chicken breast, so that I should not be left out at lunchtime. She also wrote a letter to my handler, part of which said "All the delegates enjoyed the day and we have had lots of positive comments. I think Teddy really stole the show - everybody loved him."

On Friday 16th March, my handler and I were invited to the 'Leicestershire Rural Initiative Event' at Beaumanor Hall, in the old village of Woodhouse. Awards were given, but sadly there wasn't one for 'Best canine web page.' Never mind, we met friends new and old: the blonde lady from Kirkby Muxloe gave me a blissful tummy rub and the lady who wrote murder stories gave me half a sausage roll. Afterwards, photos were taken in the beautiful grounds, one of which is posted below.

Teddy in the garden of Beaumanor Hall, following the Leicestershire Rural Initiatives Event

My handler shared Helen Smith's letter with the Coalville Hospital Manager. Steph Marlow wrote back saying "Thank you for sharing the lovely letter you received from The People's Forum. I can certainly believe that Teddy would steal any show, he is so handsome and a pleasure to have around. All the people you come into contact with at Coalville Hospital would agree, and everyone benefits from Teddy and yourself visiting regularly. Many thanks for your continued support of the hospital."

On Monday, April 23rd, we went to give a talk about our work to the ladies of the United Reformed and Congregational Churches. It was a horrible, wet evening but a whole gaggle of ladies turned out to meet us. Listening to someone talking about working with vulnerable and fragile people doesn't sound entertaining, but we do have some amusing experiences. The ladies were giggling and laughing and the vote of thanks indicated that they had all enjoyed a fun meeting.

On the evening of Tuesday 8th May we had been invited to address the ladies of the Women's Institute. We were asked to judge the competition for 'best dog picture' and chose a black and white collie. The ladies also offered PAT HQ an outstandingly generous donation. For this, we thank them wholeheartedly.

One of the WI ladies sent us a warmly encouraging communication: "I would just like to write to thank you for an interesting, humorous and at times sad, talk you gave last Tuesday. I have always found my dog a great help in times of need and I think the work that you and your charity do must be so helpful to other people. I'm sure dogs have this ability to know or sense when emotions are high, and always seem to do the right thing to help. Thank you again and I wish you, Teddy and your charity all the best."

Strawberry cream teas on Saturday 30 June

This is my friend Kieran, whose Mum is in The League of Friends. Tracey and her friends set out a delicious tea with cakes to raise funds for the Day Unit and Ward 4. Fortunately a few kind people allowed me to eat some choice titbits. Kieran played lots of games with me and at the end of the afternoon he was allowed to come for a run in the hospital garden. David, the organist from Ellistown Baptist Church provided musical entertainment throughout. He played a wonderful mix of music which had everyone tapping their paws to the beat. £178.00 was raised in total. At the end, Ward Manager, Chris Knifton, thanked everyone for their help and ended by saying: "I also want to thank Teddy the PAT Dog, who supports so many of our events - especialy ones involving cake!"

In the wet summer of 2007, Teddy goes into The Ark!

Teddy says: Following a wonderful summer holiday, I attended a refresher course in computing at the Ark Business Centre in Loughborough. Chris Poole, the facilitator at Leicestershire Rural Initiatives says that my web page is one of the top 50 most visited sites in the county. Additionally, he features my page in his presentation to prospective new users, to show the wide variety of projects created by members.

Teddy helps to open Cadeby Fete at Cadeby Hall - Saturday 4 August 2007

My Mum and Dad took me out for the afternoon to Cadeby Hall, home of Gillian and Simon Warner. There was a fete being held in the grounds to benefit the restoration fund of All Saints Church, Cadeby. There were no human celebrities available to open the fete, so I was asked to help, along with some small children. I gave a loud 'Woof' into the microphone and a child struck a triangle to announce that the fete was open. Afterwards, I was presented with a certificate of achievement from Reverend John Plant, Team Rector for the United Benefice of Market Bosworth.

THE HINCKLEY TIMES REPORTS:

"Fete Aids Historic Church. The sun shone for Cadeby's annual garden fete, which raised more than £1530 for the upkeep and restoration of the Parish Church of All Saints. Held in the grounds of Cadeby Hall, home of Simon and Jill Warner, the family fun day was opened by some of the youngest members of the community, led by the Rector of Market Bosworth, Rev John Plant and Teddy the PAT (Pets as Therapy)Dog from Coalville Community Hospital. A more familiar face - that of Hollywood heart throb Johnny Depp, in the guise of Captain Jack Sparrow - was also to be seen, in the shape of a life size cut out!
Hundreds of visitors turned up to trawl the stalls, try the sideshows and taste the much sought after home baked cakes and teas. They also made the most of the opportunity to wander the immaculate gardens and grounds of the 19th century hall, and to visit the parish church, which is to benefit from the proceeds." This article was also printed in 'Insight' the Parish Magazine of the United Benefice of Market Bosworth.

Teddy is interviewed - 6 August 2007

Here I am with my special friend Becky. She is recording me for a 'Digital Storytelling' Project, jointly organised by 'The People's Forum' and 'The Open Assembly' (empowerment groups for mental health service users.) Clients and carers are being canvassed for their opinions on prejudice, stigma, social exclusion and isolation experienced by patients. A creative patchwork of soundbites will be layered together, to give a voice to those who are often voiceless.

World Mental Health Day - Wednesday 10th October 2007

This was a busy day for us. We took part in a BBC Radio Leicester broadcast which highlighted the difficulties experienced by people with mental health problems. My handler expressed the opinion that no one chooses to become unwell, whether it is mental or physical. All patients deserve the same amount of support and care. People with mental health problems not only experienced distressing illnes, but they have to cope with the stigma of being ostracised, a Victorian attitude which needs to be changed. It was agreed that the media were partly to blame for this.

In the afternoon, my handler and I gave a talk and demonstration to a group of local Baptist ladies. The fellowship meeting centred on healing and I was touched to have a beautiful prayer dedicated to my work. On the same evening, we went to a Women's Institute for another talk and demonstration!

As so often happens, the month of October brought the sad announcements of the passing of two much loved patients. And yet again, my handler and I received warm letters of praise from their relatives. They thanked us not only for fun and entertainment, but for the psychological support and caring given to their loved ones in their final days. This is what lies at the heart of pet-assisted therapy.

Teddy with Ada and her daughter Margaret.

Wednesday 14 November - Country Persons' Guild, Melbourne, Derbyshire

This was the morning that we gave a talk and demonstration to nearly 60 persons, who enjoyed the entertainment we provided. My handler was rather flattered to be greeted by the organiser with "Gosh we were expecting a middle aged, tweedy person, not a young slip of a thing like you!" My handler explained that I was being badly behaved during the talk, barking and trying to drag her from the room. I simply could not make her understand that the induction loop which she had been asked to wear, emitted a high pitched noise which hurt my ears.

November is not a good month for dogs anyway. During the first few days there were terrible whistles and bangs which had me shaking with terror. Sometimes I just had to run upstairs and leap onto my Mum and Dad's bed, burying my head under the pillows with fright.

December arrives and disaster strikes!

On 4th December, my handler and I were asked to lead a fellowship meeting at a Free Church in Donisthorpe. I was allowed to choose the hymns and Bible reading and I talked about our hospital work. All this was received with much pleasure by the audience. The occasion was quite festive in that The Steward was also celebrating his 86th birthday on that day.

Unfortunately, a week later, I met with a serious accident whilst running in woodland and severely sprained my ankle. It was thought to be broken, but will recover in about 6 weeks with rest.

In the meantime, the Nativity scene was set up on the mantelpiece of our living room. It has an additional figure. When children ask my mummy why this is, she tells this story which she heard in France:

"Long ago in far away Bethlehem, Retrievers used to be plain brown dogs. It was noticed that they had such kind and gentle temperaments and always played joyfully with the children in the village. On that Blessed Night when a Child was born, the angels saw the brown retriever standing so solemnly and quietly by the manger that they decided to perform a miracle. And from that moment forward, all retrievers became Golden, the colour of the angels wings."

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!