Meet Frankie, the new therapy dog offering ‘comfort and companionship’ at the Rob Burrow Centre for MND
The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease has welcomed a new four-legged friend to support patients and their families.
Frankie is a therapy dog who is trained to offer comfort and companionship at the specialist care centre which opened last year.
The Australian Labradoodle recently met Rob Burrow’s children and took a tour of the centre. According to MND Support Worker Sam Oakes, the visit brightened everyone’s day.
Sam said: “It was lovely to see the excitement on the children’s faces when they met him and showed him around the centre. The reaction from colleagues has been fantastic too – he really brings a smile to everyone’s faces.
“Here at the centre, we’re helping people living with MND and their families create lasting memories and find moments of joy throughout their journey. Frankie can be an amazing part of this for those families who would like to spend time with him.”
Liz, a registered Therapy Dog Handler and Leeds Teaching Hospitals volunteer, believes Frankie will bring joy to both patients and staff.
Liz said: “Therapy dogs are perfect for providing comfort, companionship and emotional warmth to patients and their loved ones.
“They can reduce anxiety, stress and isolation, lift mood and improve wellbeing, spark connections and comfort families and carers while boosting staff morale as well.”
Gary Jevon, centre manager, hopes the new addition to the Rob Burrow Centre for MND will ease a difficult time for patients and families.
He said: “Pets bring people joy, and spark moments of magic, which carries real therapeutic value.
“Pet visits can help reduce anxiety and create calmer conversations at what can be a
stressful time. They offer emotional support and non-judgmental companionship which is really valuable for people who are unwell, isolated, or facing life-changing diagnoses.”
Motor Neurone Disease is a rare condition which progressively damages the nervous system, causing muscle weakness, muscle wasting, and loss of movement.
An estimated 5,000 people in the UK are currently with the condition according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The Rob Burrow Centre for MND opened its doors to people affected by MND last November, and the centre works to provide specialised care and support for MND patients.