PATIENTS were thrilled to welcome the Dementia Dog team to Ailsa Hospital for a relaxing afternoon filled with pawing and petting.

The dogs were a joy to be around as they gravitated towards the dementia patients from the minute they bounced into the physiotherapy department.

After taking the dogs for walks around the building and playing with them for half an hour, the group listened to presentations from Medical Detection Dogs instructor Mandie Danks, and Bernard Wallis, speaking about Canine Partners.

Mandie explained how Medical Detection Dogs can help save lives by detecting certain illnesses, like diabetes, through smell.

Bernard, with golden retriever Bruce in tow, spoke about how his dog has improved his ability to go about his daily activities since becoming disabled.

Mandie said: “We match dogs to a client when they are about 15 months old. We train dogs specifically for the client. 

"They may well pick up on other people, but you’re their world. They’re there to look after you. They pick up odours that we as humans can’t detect, and so we train them to alert us when they pick the scent up."

Bernard said: "I was first set up with a canine partner in 2000, so Bruce is the second dog I’ve had. I’ve certainly benefitted from having the dogs. They’ve changed my life for the better. 

"They are trained to the needs of the disabled person that they have been paired with."