Dr Pike prescribes pats and tummy rubs
One of the most unusual volunteers working in Northwick Park Hospital is Pike.
The nine-year-old Labradoodle visits the hospital several times a week as a Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog with owner Dr Richard Nicholl.
Dr Nicholl, who is a neonatal paediatrician, takes Pike to visit patients during the course of the day.
“It’s a great ice-breaker because so many patients own dogs and just giving him a pat brings a smile to their faces.”
Pets as Therapy is a national charity whose volunteers take animals into a range of venues including hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes and special needs’ schools.
Pike, who is named after a character from TV comedy Dad’s Army and Scafell Pike, the UK’s highest mountain, has quite a fan club among hospital staff… but it pays to remain vigilant.
Richard added: “He has a legendary appetite. If someone leaves their sandwiches out he’ll think they’ve been left there for his convenience.
“He even ate the Christmas salmon one year and just sat there looking like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth while we searched high and low for it.”
“It’s great being able to bring him into work and the welcome he gets from staff and patients is fantastic. He’s met everyone from the porters to the chief executive and enjoys the attention.”