8 June 2025
Volunteers’ Week 2025: Jenny’s story
Some of our dedicated volunteers have supported PAT for many years.
Everyone’s loving Golden Retriever Ruby
During lockdown, patients at a mental health and dementia unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital in Bromley, south east London, missed their PAT visits so much that they asked volunteer Debbie Walker for videos and photos of her PAT Dog Ruby. It's great news then, to hear that Debbie and her gorgeous Golden Retriever are back making their visits in person — everyone is happy again.
The PAT Team have also been contacted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and now offer wellbeing sessions to hospital staff who have worked throughout the pandemic.
"It's a chance for them to give Ruby a cuddle and de-stress," smiles Debbie. "The sessions are proving to be extremely popular. There's often a queue of people waiting to give Ruby a hug!"
