Bertie’s healing paws
Bertie the cockapoo has been bringing smiles and joy to children and young people as well as adults within Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) for nearly ten years.
A certified therapy dog, Bertie and his dedicated owner, Emma play a crucial role in bringing comfort, joy and healing to children and young people in various settings, from hospitals to homes.
Together Bertie and Emma form a great team, supporting those who need them most.
We caught up with them to gain some insight into the training and dedication it takes to become a therapy dog and the impact they have on those they meet.
Bertie is a 10-year-old Cockapoo (a cross of a Cocker Spaniel and miniature poodle). Cockapoos are known for their intelligent, happy and affectionate personalities. As a poodle crossbreed Cockapoos shed very little hair, and so are often considered a better choice for children/young people who suffer from allergies and are often used as therapy dogs. Bertie has lived with his current family since he was a puppy, he has grown up with 3 energetic children and loves nothing more than splashing in rivers and lots of cuddles.
Bertie is a neutered, well cared for and responsibly owned dog belonging to Emma Walker, a member of Children and family Health Devon (CFHD), he is fully vaccinated and is not fed a raw diet.
Pet therapy is widely accepted as having the potential to considerably benefit physical, mental and social health (Brodis and Biley, 1999). Studies have shown that the presence of a companion animal can improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people by making an environment happier, more enjoyable and less forbidding thus reducing anxiety.
The primary motivation for assessing Bertie as a Therapy Dog was to be able to bring him into the workplace and support staff wellbeing. Whenever Bertie was in the office colleagues would often smile and take a few minutes to say ‘hello’ to him, providing a much-needed short break and a boost for mental wellbeing.
More recently Bertie has been working with the Assertive Outreach Team where he meets Young People who are finding it tricky to talk to others. Bertie is great at breaking down barriers and providing an easy common ground for discussions. One family described spending time with Bertie as a ‘low demand therapeutic intervention’ which I thought was a lovely way of describing protected time for cuddles!
Bertie has been bringing smiles to CFHD colleagues and young people since 2014.
Bertie comes into the office, visits homes, schools and has been in hospital where he always receives lots of smiles and tickles.
I have received lots of positive feedback from young people and their families who have met Bertie, but probably the best positive changes have been seeing young people smile and just being present with Bertie, I think he helps to ease worries and anxieties a little for a short period of time.
It’s always a joy having Bertie work with me, he’s amazing at connecting me with other people, so probably a challenge I find is talking too much to colleagues and not achieving everything I need to in a day.
Young people love seeing Bertie too, and I think it’s important for me to remember that when he’s in a clinical session his needs come first, so priority is always given to cuddles and playing so the more structured intervention often takes back seat for that week.
Bertie doesn’t have much spare time as he’s also an OK-9 Dog with Devon and Cornwall Police…you may have seen him recently on BBC Spotlight… Therapy dogs helping police staff in Devon and Cornwall – BBC News
