Will and Scamp welcomed at The Brook
The team at The Brook, our learning disability and autism unit in Dawlish have been pleased to recently welcome Will, Nursing Assistant and his Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog Scamp.
Rich, Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor, said: "The benefits of therapy pets within mental health settings is fantastic and from the moment Will and Scamp walked through the door, they brought with them calm, joyful companionship and a welcome breath of fresh air onto the ward. All staff and patients were delighted to get to know them, with many taking the time to walk Scamp in the beautiful grounds of Langdon.
"Pet therapy dogs have allowed us on the OT team to offer meaningful occupation and a sense of responsibility and adventure.
"Many of our service users are no strangers to dogs as they have had them as pets themselves but for some owning a pet is a new experience. Having the PAT team on board with us allows us to give this fantastic experience to our service users building new relationships of trust, offering opportunities to share new sensory experiences, engage in meaningful activities and enriching offsite leave. Will and Scamp bring a new dynamic to the ward offering a welcome 
change for both staff and patient welfare. Their visits are often a highlight of the week. Having pets join us showcases the amazing value of Pets as Therapy facilitation between volunteers and mental health professionals."
Will said: "Scamp has enormous amounts of appreciation from patients and staff at The Brook. He has also begun visiting The Hedgerow Project at Langdon and also Rougemont and Belvedere wards in Exeter."