Meet Sprout. Barrel-chested and muscular, he looks like the canine equivalent of a beefy nightclub bouncer. One to be wary of, perhaps.
Yet Sprout is a much loved visitor at several of Petersfield’s care homes, as well as a mental health support worker at the University of Surrey.
As an English Bull Terrier, he’s something of a “one off”, being the only one of his breed to be registered as a therapy dog with Pets as Therapy, the UK charity.
How did this come to pass? Owner Lizzie Strickland explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather how Sprout recovered from an operation that went horribly wrong, overcame his resulting disability and now brings comfort and joy to many people in the Petersfield community through his voluntary work.
Find out more about volunteering with Pets as Therapy from Patricia Bland, the Petersfield area coordinator.
Do you work your dog?
If you would consider talking about your dog or dogs to Kate Fairweather, please get in touch! Email us at team@shineradio.uk. Sporting dogs, service dogs, assistance dogs, the more the merrier!
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