Spencer Award for Therapet of The Year



This award was donated by Tom and Dorothy Wilkins, whose Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, SPENCER, was the very first dog to be registered in the Therapet scheme, way back in 1988.  

 

This year 14 nominations were received in respect of Therapets all of whom do magnificent work and of whom their owners can be justifiably proud.  All nominated Therapets receive a certificate of nomination and a special rosette.

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The WINNER of THERAPET OF THE YEAR FOR 2016 is Greyhound “MEGAN” very proudly owned by Linda Whitby of Irvine, Ayrshire.  Megan was registered as a Therapet in 2010

 

Megan was nominated by Therapet Volunteer Christine Scott of Irvine and by Area Representative for Ayrshire Shona Morris.

 

• In her nomination Christine Scott said;

 

“Along with Linda & Megan my Golden Retriever, Storm, and I have visited Ayrshire Central Hospital. Moorpark House in Kilbirnie which is for adults with various forms of autism, also accompanied them to may talks by Linda to groups such as Age Concern, Alzheimers and various women’s group.  

 

“Through listening to Linda’s talk I have learned that she and Megan also visit some care homes in Irvine, a school on Cumbrae to help children with reading difficulties in the Reading with Dogs programme and also they help people who are scared of dogs.

 

“Megan is a 10 year old rescue Greyhound and I was always under the impression that retired Greyhounds lazed about on a sofa all day – well Megan seems to be the exception to the rule as she seems to be on the go all the time with her Therapet activities.  Whenever I have been at a Therapet visit or talk, Megan has always been so laid back and relaxed and this has made many, many people happy and brightened up their day.

 

“Linda seems to have boundless energy when it comes to volunteering her service for Therapet and as a Therapet volunteer myself I thank that she and Megan are very deserving of this prestigious award.”

 

• Shona Morris wrote:

 

“I have had the pleasure of meeting Megan when visiting my own place of work, Cumbrae Primary School.  I teach there and Linda and Megan have begun a Reading with Dogs project with us.  Megan has a very calm disposition but is also friendly with adults and children.

 

“They have visited a wide range of establishment – care homes, schools, hospitals, sheltered housing, private homes and colleges.  They have done work with phobic patients, participated in Paws Against Stress sessions and with people with mental health issues and other disabilities.

 

“I have no hesitation in recommending Megan as Therapet of the Year.”

 

The following comments were received in support of Megan’s nomination:

 

• Yvonne Gribbon, Head Teacher at Haysholm School, Irvine wrote:

 

“Linda and Megan are regular visitors to Haysholm School which caters for 25 children and young people, 5 – 18, who have severe and complex Additional Support Needs.

 

“A large number of our pupils are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum disorder.  When Linda visits with Megan they visit all classes where Megan will stand very quietly to be looked at and/or petted and stroked. Megan is very good at her “job”, she is calm and gentle with the children.  This is very important for the children and young people who are in Autism Spectrum.  Many are frightened from dogs and other pets because they seem unpredictable to them.  However, Megan, because of her calm and gentle nature, helps to desensitise some of those children.

 

“Our children also have a range of sensory needs and find stroking soft furry material pleasurable and calming.  Both Linda and Megan are very responsive to the children that they visit in classes.  The level of input is tailored to the needs of each individual and children are neither rushed nor made to pat Megan.  We feel that the input of Therapet is highly beneficial and we are grateful to receive the service.”

 

• The patients and Staff at the Day Hospital, Ayrshire Central Hospital wrote:

 

“Megan our gorgeous greyhound is the golden girl of the Pet Therapy Service.  She has been a loyal visitor to the Day Hospital over the past few years with both staff and patients looking forward to her weekly visit.  Megan has a gentle manner, calming personality and the silkiest of coats it’s no wonder our patients love when she visits.  Her guilty pleasure is the odd doggy biscuit or two and who could say no to those big brown eyes.  Her picture hangs pride of place on our notice board for everyone to see.

 

“Our gorgeous girl is now getting on in years and deserves the recognition for all her hard work.”

 

• Linda Young, Activities Co-Ordinator at South Beach House Older Persons Residential Unit which has 34 residents 80% of whom have Dementia.

 

“Megan our Therapet Dog along with Linda Whitby visit the residents every four weeks on a Friday afternoon.  When Megan arrives and enters the main lounge there is an audible excitable chatter and buzz.  Lots of residents wanting Megan to start with them first!  But Linda takes time to show Megan round the room individually going to all residents.  Megan is patient and gentle as residents stroke and talk to her.  The smiles of delight show on all residents’ faces.  It completely lifts their spirits.  Residents who don’t move very much will make an amazing effort to stretch out and stroke Megan.  Residents who normally find talking difficult due to advance dementia will make happy noises of approval to Megan.

 

Megan also visits residents who are bedridden due to illness.  This is really uplifting to them in many ways – it is very therapeutic for them, there is opportunity for conversation with Linda who always finds a subject to talk about and it aids their spirits if they suffer from depression that can set in if residents are in their rooms for long periods.

 

It has to be noted that conversation continues after Megan and Linda depart.  The residents chat about Megan and about their own dogs.  At 4pm there is a shift change and the residents can’t wait to tell the staff who was visiting them today, but by dinner most of them will have forgotten the visit but that doesn’t matter at all.  It is only important that they are happy at the time and it is of no concern that their memory eludes them.  This can’t be fixed and after all it will only be another four weeks until Megan returns and excitement happens all over again.