DOGS may be an unfamiliar sight in a hospital, but one black labrador has been cheering up hundreds of patients with a simple wag of his tail and lick of a palm.
Buddy the dog and his owner, Sylvia Wand, visit hospitals and care homes all over Southend as part of a national scheme called Pets as Therapy, to bring some much-needed cheer into people's lives.
The lively labrador has had such a positive impact on patients at Southend Hospital that he has now been included in the hospital's honours scheme - the first time a four-legged creature has been recognised in such a way.
Mrs Wand, whose name will appear alongside Buddy's on the hospital's roll of honour, said: "The way people's faces light up when they see Buddy is just absolutely wonderful.
"Stroke patients in particular really like to see him.
"Even if they're not particularly mobile, they can stroke him and pull his ears.
"I also put a little biscuit in their hands and Buddy will eat it.
"He makes such a difference to their day, because it is such a nice change.
"You just don't really expect to see a dog in a hospital." Mrs Wand, who is retired, said she had been a dog lover for 40 years and had been involved with the Pets as Therapy scheme since she read an advert in the Echo in 1993.
The pair will receive their award at a special ceremony in the hospital's education centre on Thursday, May 1.
Hospital chairman John Bruce said: "We are so fortunate to be on the receiving end of an enormous supply of goodwill from so many individuals and groups.
"Every name on our roll of honour represents a huge amount of caring and commitment and we are indebted to them all."
Ten more hero volunteers
TEN other volunteers were honoured for their contribution to the hospital's work.
- Heather Culham, one of the hospital's original team of volunteers when she joined in 1990
- Joyce Harris, a volunteer for more than 17 years
- Eileen Parson, who has worked on the information desks since 1995
- Iris Singleton, who provides invaluable service on Westcliff ward
- Nancy Thomas, a volunteer for 12 years, described as "a great asset to the hospital"
- Eleanor "Bunty" Thomas, a volunteer on Neptune children's ward since 1998, who has reluctantly had to give up her role due to poor health
- Jean Webster, a volunteer for more than 15 years, first on wards and in the diabetes centre before moving to the main outpatients department
- Judie Wilson, who has managed the hospital's toy library for many years, during which time she has been a great source of information for parents with children with special needs
- Rosa Yetts, a great asset to Estuary ward for 13 years
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Bernice Clarke, who has been with the hospital since 1996 and is described as "an absolute delight to work with".
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