Award for dogs who bring joy (From Penarth Times)

Award for dogs who bring joy

A PENARTH woman has been rewarded for her years of commitment to helping others.

Mary Evans has been visiting Holme Tower Hospice with her dogs for 15 years.

And now she has been presented with an award from the Kennel Club of Britain.

Mary of Shakespeare Avenue, Penarth, said: "All the people know me here and my dogs are always welcome because they are so well behaved. But I was very surprised to be nominated for the Pet As Therapy award (PAT)."

The competition was voted on by readers of Take a Break magazine.

She added: "I only found out about the ceremony from my area manager for PAT. I rarely see the patients' families so I am happy to know that they voted for me."

On the certificate is the Eira dog but Mary would like to say Judy dog also played a part in the award.

All the recognition for Mary's dogs must not detract from the effort she has to make to look after the animals.

They are all Pyrenean Mountain dogs which are extremely large but very placid.

However the amount of time it takes to keep the animals washed and clean for their visits once a week is substantial.

Day Therapy Centre Co-ordinator, Jill Palin said: "Mary is very good with the patients - if they do not want to see the dogs she understands.

The pets as therapy is beneficial for people in here because a lot of them miss their own pets at home."

Before the Pyrenean Mary had a Sheep Dog which was not big and she had to lift it up so the patients could see.

Now the dogs are able to lay their heads on the bed if a patient is unable to get up.

Holme Tower is run by Marie Curie and looks after cancer patients who are extremely ill.