Aylesbury's ICU gets furry new recruit
Kali the Therapy Dog has joined the team
There's a new face on the team board at ICU at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury: Kali the therapy dog.
She has been recruited to boost the wellbeing of patients and staff.
It all began when Kali's owner, ICU Pharmacist Natasha Hamilton-Tanner brought Kali to visit her Nan in hospital at the end of her life.
Kali brought Natasha, her Nan and their family a great deal of comfort at a very difficult time. Realising Kali's talent, Natasha looked into Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs, how they are used around the world for rehab and therapy.
She worked hard to train Kali, who recently achieved all the necessary certificated to qualify as a PAT dog.
Although there is so much evidence for the benefits of PAT dogs for patients, Natasha was determined that Kali would also support staff facing the challenges of the pandemic.
As ICU pharmacist Natasha sees first hand how hard the team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital has worked through the peaks of the pandemic.
So, on Christmas day, she brought Kali to visit staff in ICU, paediatrics and pharmacy.
This gave staff some respite, a moment to take some time out, have a cuddle with Kali, ultimately improving their sense of wellbeing.
ICU nurse Sarah Shipley said:
"Natasha and Kali are one fantastic team who simply want to help and improve the lives of patients and the teams who are caring for patients.
"Not only is Natasha a full time dedicated ICU pharmacist, who has been a source of strength to us throughout this pandemic, she goes above and beyond to come up with innovative ways for making the teams life easier, allow for a better working environments and ultimately better patient outcomes."