While stories about animals visits to a hospital are becoming a little more common here in the United States, that isn’t the case all over the world.
Take Scotland, for example, the policy there against animals in a hospital setting are incredibly strict. Animals there are only allowed in the hospital under exceptional circumstances. It was the staff at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee; however, that bent the rules and made one dying man and, by extension, his family very happy.
MR. ROBSON
Peter Robson knew when he was admitted to the hospital with fibrosis of the lungs, that his life was soon coming to an end. He had one last wish, though, before he died, he desperately wanted to see and hug his dog Shep one last time. The 70-year-old man told his family and hospital staff of his wishes and was utterly shocked when they agreed.
“Still in shock that the wish was granted and they went above and beyond today and made a dying man very happy,” said Peter’s granddaughter Ashley.
Ashley went on to describe the Cheryl Ward, a charge nurse in Ward 3, as “an absolute angel.” Peter was so happy he took off his oxygen mask and let Shep kiss and lick him on the face as he hugged his dog goodbye for the last time.
“We are eternally grateful – you don’t know what this meant to our granddad.”
ETERNALLY GRATEFUL
Peter got his dog eight years ago after his wife passed away. Shep was just a puppy at the time. The dog helped him get through those long, lonely, and painful hours after his wife died.
“He really thought he would never see Shep again,” Ashley told the BBC. “It was an amazing moment to see the two of them together, and Shep was so excited to see him.”
The senior nurse in charge of Ward 3, Fiona McCallum said that she was proud of how Ms. Ward and the rest of the team as a result of their “caring and compassionate act.”
“The team worked with colleagues in infection control to make this possible and I can’t thank them all enough for going above and beyond to bring some comfort to Mr. Robson and his family,” said McCallum.
Even the powers that be at the hospital itself are happy with the outcome.
NHS Tayside chief executive said,”Our thoughts are with Mr. Robson’s family as they deal with their loss at this difficult time. The ward 3 team has done a wonderful thing for his family. It is often the little things that mean the most to patients and their families and I’m so pleased that the staff were able to grant this wish.”
Hours later after the initial request, Peter died peacefully surrounded by his family and Shep. He got to spend his last 30 to 45 minutes of his life with his beloved dog at his side. Ashley says that her grandfather’s only son, also named Peter, will now be taking care of Shep. Peter’s granddaughter took a video of the exchange, so grab a box of tissues and watch that video below.
Posted by Ashley Stevens on Thursday, March 29, 2018
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