Dog Therapy Volunteers Alfie and George - Giving the gift of comfort at North West Hospice

Two dog therapy volunteers are offering comfort and support to patients at North West Hospice in Sligo.

Eleven year old collie Alfie and five year old chorkie George are visiting patients in North West Hospice who may be missing their pets or who would just like some time with them.

Alfie’s owner Anne Stevenson explained why her lovable Collie started visiting patients, care of Irish Therapy Dogs.

“Alfie is a rescue dog. He was dumped on our doorstep. We were only meant to foster him but he had such an affectionate nature that he wrangled his way into the house and decided never to leave. He has this ability to find people who need a hug.”

Alfie started visiting the Rehab Unit in St John’s Community Hospital, Sligo in 2017 and after that he started visiting North West Hospice also. He now visits patients once a week.

“I always check if the patients want to meet him. Anyone that meets him loves him. But sometimes he will spend more time with the relatives, because sometimes the relatives need the comfort more than the patient. He’s a really nice natured dog.”

Geraldine Fowley, who owns George explained why George started visiting North West Hospice as part of the hospice’s Dog Therapy Initiative.

“Every time we go anywhere George makes people smile and I thought he might spread that smile to other places. And because I volunteer with North West Hospice, I thought this is perfect. We try to come in once a week. I think people enjoy him,” she said.

Geraldine explained why she decided to become a volunteer at the hospice.

“I thought I need to do something because I retired and I thought wouldn’t the hospice be nice?” she said.

Not only does Geraldine volunteer at the reception but she also runs the volunteer trolley service once a week.

Describing volunteering at North West Hospice she said “You get great satisfaction out of it. You know you are helping out and that’s the most important thing. And when people come in to see their loved ones and you just have that little smile for them and you’ve empathy, not sympathy, for why they are here, it’s lovely.”

Nuala Ginnelly, Operational Lead for North West Hospice described the importance of the volunteer programme in the hospice. “Our volunteers are an integral part of our North West Hospice team, offering supports in many areas of the hospice i.e reception cover, gardening, flower arranging, holistic therapies and more recently the dog therapy programme. All of these initiatives not only support the patients and families but significantly support our staff in their day to day work.”

Cathy Quinlan, Volunteer Coordinator, North West Hospice said “I have the absolute pleasure of working directly with all of the volunteers in our North West Hospice site. Every day I get to talk to these lovely people, hear their beautiful stories, share in their volunteering experience, support them with anything that they need to carry out their volunteering, and get to know the amazing people that they are. And now, I get to give loads of cuddles to Alfie and George! The volunteer group are very special to the North West Hospice.”

North West Hospice is currently looking for volunteers to help as charity shop assistants, event and fundraising helpers, reception / admin support and for hairdressing / holistic therapies.

Whether you have a few hours a week or more, North West Hospice would love to hear from you.

Volunteering at North West Hospice is flexible, rewarding, and deeply meaningful.

You can sign up by visiting their website, https://www.northwesthospice.ie/, where you can chose a role that suits your skills and availability, and then fill out an application form.

You can then send the application via email to Volunteer.NWH@hse.ie, or post to North West Hospice, The Mall, Sligo, F91K226, or contact 0719143317 and ask for their Volunteer Coordinator.