Isabel Serafim & Mr London
“Mr London brings a bit of fresh air when he visits. The mood on the ward changes.”
Isabel Serafim and her Persian Ragdoll cat have been a volunteering PAT Team for five years and are regular visitors to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. They spend much of their time with patients in the Trauma ward.
“Every pet guardian will say that their pet is the most wonderful, but I’m extra proud that my cat, Mr London, is happy to volunteer with Pets As Therapy and brings so much joy and ‘pawsitivity’ to everyone he meets,” smiles Isabel. “He has ‘cattitude’ and knows he’s a handsome fellow. There are times when Mr London gives an air of who is the boss, but he also loves meeting people and he enjoys all the fuss he receives from patients, even if he does sometimes casually have a nap on the job.”
Isabel explains many people who find themselves in a hospital setting are there because something has happened to a loved one. “Mr London brings a bit of fresh air when he visits. The mood on the ward changes. And the health professionals embrace his presence too. They are very proud of being able to offer the services of Mr London to their patients. He always brings joy.”
A feline distraction is often much appreciated. “A visit from Mr London means patients can have a bit of an escape from where they are – even a few minutes helps. We usually exchange stories of pets and how much they mean to us. The health professionals also like to have a little break during their busy shift. So often we hear the expression ‘this has just made my day’.”
Rewarding experiences
Volunteering with Pets As Therapy is something Isabel really enjoys. “It keeps me grounded and helps me put things in perspective in life. I always thought being a PAT visiting volunteer would be a wonderful way of spending time with your pet and it’s a great way to give something back to the community. There’s nothing better than volunteering with my wonderful partner, Mr London.
“As well as visiting the Royal London Hospital, we also have been a couple of times to the London Metropolitan University Library where we provide ‘pawsitive’ motivation to students preparing for exams.”
High days and holidays
Isabel is especially proud that Mr London was a winner of a People’s Pet Award in 2022, in the Cat of the Year Award category. “It was great to be recognised for Mr London’s efforts as a volunteer with Pets As Therapy. He attended a red carpet event and received lots of treats and toys. I’m a very proud guardian of these whiskers and pair of fluffy paws.”
When Mr London isn’t busy volunteering or going to award ceremonies, he enjoys his naps and spends time sharing his thoughts on his social media pages. “He also relishes going on his ‘meowlidays’,” laughs Isabel. “He seems to love visiting Portugal to see ‘Grandpaw’ where he gets treats on demand and lots of fuss.”
We are always looking to recruit more volunteers.
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