Two fuzzy friends have joined the team at Epsom Hospital to help calm anxious young patients and take their minds off their illness or condition during their weekly visits.

Golden Retriever Alfie made his first visit to sick children on the hospital’s Casey children’s ward last week. Labrador Oak will also soon be doing the rounds.

The two fully vaccinated canines were selected as Casey’s Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs after passing a temperament assessment, which showed they would be suitable to be around children.

Other hospitals and organisations across the country already use PAT dog schemes, and Karen Kilday, ward manager at Casey Ward, was keen to bring the idea to Epsom.

She said: “It’s really great to have a PAT dog in the ward. It helps calm down the children when they are feeling anxious or stressed, and helps them to take their mind off their illnesses.

“Having two weekly visits from our PAT dogs will give the children something to look forward to during their time with us, and will make long-term stays less daunting.”

She added: ““We really enjoyed meeting Alfie – he is such a friendly dog with a great personality. We look forward to seeing much more of him (and meeting Oak!) very soon.

“PAT dogs are incredibly friendly, and Alfie seemed to adore the attention he got – not only from the children, but the adults too!”