Pawpounders is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity as the principal assessors of dogs under consideration for its Pets in Hospitals Scheme.

The Scheme will see specially assessed dogs visiting patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, recognising the positive health benefits that dog visits can bring for animal-loving patients. The Hospital believes that a visit from a well-behaved dog will bring comfort and affection to patients, helping to lift spirits and reduce anxiety.

Suitable dogs will need to be calm, loving and obedient and the Pawpounders assessors will use a variety of techniques to evaluate each animal nominated for the scheme, both in the home and on unfamiliar territory.

The Pawpounders team, led by Dave Walsh have many years’ experience and training in dog behavioural assessment, honed in our core business in Doggy Day Care and reinforced through professional training.

Nick Parkinson, Pawpounders’ owner said: “We are enormously privileged to be involved in this wonderful scheme, with the attendant benefits it will bring to patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The selection of dogs with the right temperament is vital to its success and we are pleased that our team’s skills and judgement in this area have been recognised through our appointment as Assessors for the Scheme.”

You can support Pets in Hospital by donating £7 per month to pay for the training and equipment for one of the specially trained dogs. Head to hospitalcharity.org/petsinhospital to find out more information and select which of the adorable dogs you would like to support.