Doggy diva Ruby retires after bringing joy to thousands of patients
Doggy diva Ruby has retired as a Pooches therapy dog after bringing smiles to thousands of patients over the years.
Ruby and fellow therapy dog Bertie leave a lasting impression on everyone they meet. Former patient Rebecca Guest spotted Ruby as she arrived for her final walk through QMC with owner Dale Buckland. Rebecca recalled, emotionally, how Ruby had visited her in the high-dependency unit during the pandemic.
And a young woman thanked them for helping during her antenatal appointments – and invited them up to the ward to meet her newborn.
For Dudley, on B49, Ruby brought back memories of his own dog, Lucy. “A dog is a friend at night when you’re on your own,” he said.
Healthcare Assistant Georgia Wing said: “Ruby brings such joy to the ward – it makes our patients smile and that makes me happy.”
Ruby and Bertie are Pooches – Pets Offering Ongoing Care Help & Extra Support – which was set up by healthcare assistant Dale in 2012.
Barbara Cathcart, Chief Executive of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We are so pleased to be able to fund Pooches’ visits and are grateful to Dale, Ruby and Bertie for all the joy they bring to patients, visitors and staff. Ruby has had a wonderful career, making a difference to people’s everyday lives and helping to ease patients’ anxiety during their time in hospital, and she brings joy to staff on her visits as well.
"We hope Ruby enjoys her well-deserved retirement, and enjoys putting her paws up! We’ll certainly miss seeing her wagging tail around the hospitals.”
Dale said: “Ruby loves wandering around the hospitals, being adored.
“After we’ve done our rounds at the hospitals, we always stop and get a sausage from the chip shop. Ruby might not be on the wards any more but I reckon she will still get a sausage.”
Then Dale led Ruby – for the last time – down the corridor to visit that newborn baby and the young mum she'd made such an impression on.