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New therapy dog at Royal Bolton Hospital to improve staff wellbeing
- Tandal joins Bolton NHS Foundation Trust as Staff Support Chaplain
- The 5-year-old rescue dog has spent time getting used to the busy hospital
- Plans for Tandal to volunteer in care homes and schools
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is welcoming a new four-legged friend to offer a different kind of support to staff whilst they are at work.
Tandal, a 5-year-old rescue dog originally from Romania has been adopted by the Trust’s Deputy Head Hospital Chaplain, Reverend Catherine Binns, through Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Bury.
His official title is Staff Support Chaplain, and he’s already leant a helping paw by joining Allied Health Professional’s on a weekly wellbeing walk and sitting in on job interviews.
💕 Our new furry friend, Tandal, is already opening up conversations between staff.
He joins us as a Staff Support Chaplain to help staff unwind.
Our Deputy Head Chaplain, @revcathfrog, explains why she was so keen to recruit him 👇 pic.twitter.com/1WHn8Ambkn
— Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (@boltonnhsft) September 8, 2022
New therapy dog at Royal Bolton Hospital
Over the past few weeks, Tandal has also spent time getting used to the sights, smells and sounds of a busy hospital environment, as well as developing his skills and experience in a dementia care home.
Reverend Catherine Binns, Deputy Head Hospital Chaplain, said:
All of our staff work incredibly hard, sometimes in challenging circumstances, so it’s important to find different ways to let them unwind.
“Our furry friends are known for their ability to ease stress and anxiety and providing a much needed break from their busy workdays.
I’ve been a Chaplain at the Trust for seven years and the reaction Tandal gets is completely different, he has a special ability to get staff to stop and start conversations with one another.
“There has been a really positive energy when I have walked with him up and down the corridors, and I know he will continue to put a smile on people’s faces.
In the coming weeks Tandal will be assessed through the charity Pets As Therapy to also volunteer in other spaces across Bolton, such as care homes and schools, as well as his work as new therapy dog at Royal Bolton Hospital.
