Pet therapist Dr Pike puts patients at ease at Northwick Park Hospital
Dr Pike, Northwick Park Hospital's pet therapist, with owner consultant neonatal paediatrician Richard Nicholl - Credit: Archant
A pet therapist is currently doing rounds at Northwick Park Hospital cheering up the elderly and unwell.
“Dr Pike” has started work at the Watford Road hospital where previous employees have included a bird of prey, guard dog and robot.
Consultant neonatal paediatrician Richard Nicholl bought his “medical colleague” along with him as part of a Pets as Therapy session outside Haldane Ward, the hospital’s stroke unit.
Labradoodle Pike, named after Private Pike from the TV show Dad’s Army, has also visited the hospital’s rehabilitation unit and elderly care wards.
Dr Nicholl said: “The patients really like him and he is always very patient. He usually has an instant rapport with people.”
Thor the Harrier Hawk keeps an eye on pigeons at Northwick Park. Hank, a German Shepherd, accompanied security in the late 1970s and Jeeves the Robot helped deliver medical files during the 1990s.
