Dixie is just the job at the home

The six-year-old black Belgian Shepherd visits residents at Ancaster Court nursing home, and helps some of them feel better.

She sits quietly and allows them to pat her head or stroke her soft thick coat, leaning in closer to those elderly or frail who find it hard to reach.

Dixie goes once a week with owner Alyson Walker, both volunteers for Pets As Therapy, a nationwide charity which organises visits for those who love animals but otherwise have no access to them.

PAT was started 21 years ago with the aim of bringing dogs - but sometimes cats, or even rabbits - into places like hospitals, hospices, day care centres or residential homes, so that everyone can enjoy their therapeutic benefit.

Alyson registered with PAT when Dixie was just seven months old, and, when she moved to this area from Macclesfield in 2001, began visiting soon after.

"It has worked very well. Dixie is very gentle with people. She is big enough for them to see - some of them have a problem seeing if it's a little dog.

"Some of the residents here consider Dixie their own.

"A lot of people who come here might have had a dog or cat at home. In their situation I would be so glad to see an animal.

"Stroking a dog is very relaxing, very calming, and a visit also breaks up the day, it takes their mind off their ailments for a little while.

"And Dixie will love anybody."

"It is hard work for her. When she comes here she know this is working. She is initially excited and can't wait to come inside, but she knows when she is here she must be gentle and calm."

Dixie obviously enjoys her training and being able to understand what Alyson is wanting her to do.

"If someone is in bed, I can ask her to put her front paws up on a chair, or put her head up close. I have the word "cuddle" and I pat, and she will come to that.

"At the moment I am teaching her to kiss...she will kiss their hand - the residents love it.

"We go to one lady who is crippled with arthritis, and she said - I do wish she could get on the bed with me. Dixie got her front legs up, and she said it was just so wonderful, just so lovely. She wished Dixie could stay with her all day."

Alyson, from Mountfield, and Dixie visit 19 residents when they go to Ancaster Court in Hastings Road every Tuesday.

Among them are Olive Gardner, Barbara Isted, and Charlie Stonham.

Ellen Isard said: "I do love dogs. I think I prefer them to humans sometimes".

George Lee is a 97-year-old who has always cared for dogs, and is still a keen sponsor of Guide Dogs for the Blind. When he sees Dixie come into his room, he knows she is hoping for one of the special treats he keeps for her. He is reminded of Rex, a dog he owned as a young man, very similar in looks.

Another resident, Eileen Julyan, said: "I think she is lovely. I have always loved dogs and I have had quite a few - Bob, Ben and Butch."

When Bridey Leahy has a visit from Dixie, she is taken back to her childhood in County Limerick, when her father Paddy owned greyhounds and raced them.

"He was devoted to racing the greyhounds, and it was unheard for any of the family to miss out - we used to go twice a week and it was a very social event."

Both owner and dog are tired after a day visiting, but Alyson wouldn't have it any other way.

"I find it very rewarding. Like everyone who is working or busy, I sometimes think I don't want to do something, but no matter how busy I am, I always do the PAT dog visit. When I leave I think - I'm glad I did that, I have made a difference. I have made a difference to someone, even if it's just for a few minutes."

She is justly proud of the way Dixie behaves at Ancaster Court, and how quiet and well-behaved she is during the day.

"When she is doing her agility training, or being a rascal playing around, you think it is a different dog. But here, she does really excel."

Anyone interested in making a donation to Pets As Therapy can do so by phoning 0870 240 1239, emailing on [email protected], or online www.petsastherapy.org.

A dog show to raise funds for PAT will be held next month at Ancaster Court - this popular event which included a home-made cake stall and book sale last year raised over 800.

It's a light-hearted fun event, with categories such as best mongrel, dog with the waggiest tail, and dog the judge would most like to take home.

The dog show will be held on Saturday, July 29, with judging from 2-4pm by Suzanne Holding who is a PAT dog assessor.

Manager Alison Sowerby appreciates the work done by the charity. She said: "Some of the residents really light up when Dixie comes round.

"There is one lady here who always used to have dogs, so she absolutely adores it and gets Dixie up on the bed with her. PAT dogs don't just go into old people's homes though, they go into children's homes too, places where kids really need help, and where they can't have pets. They also have rabbits and cats.

"I am really lucky that I have a dog and can bring my dog to work. Some of the residents here would love to have their own dog, but they can't.

They probably would have had to leave their dog when they originally went into the first stage of care."