"Bringing my Therapy Dog to St Michael's could be the most worthwhile thing I've ever done"

Three-year-old Ted is brought to our Inpatient Unit most weeks

Providing comfort to those who need it is a vital element of our care.

That comfort, however, isn’t always provided by staff. Well, at least not our two-legged staff.

Ted is a three-year-old Therapy Dog who is brought to our Inpatient Unit most Fridays by Stephen, his human companion.

“Ted just loves people,” said Stephen.

“He is very good at picking up when someone is in need. It just comes to him so naturally, and it can be incredibly moving to witness. He’s a bit of a miracle dog really.”

Ted’s journey to becoming a Therapy Dog involved training, and came as a result of the behaviour he had shown during a particular period at home.

“My wife had a triple heart bypass, and was understandably very fragile afterwards,” added Stephen. “During this time, Ted was so gentle with her. A doctor friend said Ted would make a wonderful therapy dog, and I just thought, ‘I would love to do this’.”

Stephen’s day job couldn’t be further from bringing Ted into St Michael’s Hospice. He’s a renowned voice on classical music, presented shows on BBC Radio 3 and writing on the subject for national newspapers such as The Guardian.

Yet when the two of them walk down our Inpatient Unit, it’s Ted’s name people remember.

“It’s exactly how it should be,” said Stephen. “Ted is very popular here and seeing the difference he makes to patients, their loved ones, and staff and volunteers, is just lovely.

“St Michael’s is a very special place to be, and bringing Ted here could be the most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done.”