A Stockport man has shared the heart-warming impact his canine companion has on fellow patients and dedicated staff at a local hospice. Walter Tomlin, who attends sessions at the Being You Centre within Moya Cole Hospice, says his dog Ren consistently brightens the atmosphere for everyone.
Finding Support and Companionship
Walter was initially referred to Moya Cole Hospice after attending pulmonary rehabilitation. Following an assessment, he embarked on his first six-week course at the hospice, focusing on wellbeing. He also completed a programme dedicated to Breathlessness Support.
Walter emphasised the value of these sessions, stating they offer more than just symptom management. "They allow you to talk to other people who are in the same sort of position as you are," he explained. "I also received a lot of information which I never knew, so these sessions have been really helpful."
A Perfect Match: Ren's Journey as a Hearing Dog
The true star of the story, however, is Ren, a Cocker Spaniel. Walter is a volunteer trainer for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. He trained with Ren during the Covid pandemic, and the dog was later homed with a deaf lady in West Yorkshire as a fully accredited assistance dog.
"It was a good match. Some matches don’t work out for one reason or another, but this was a perfect match. He absolutely changed her life," Walter said. Sadly, after three years together, the lady passed away last year.
The charity contacted Walter to ask if he would foster Ren, with a view to reassessing him for a new owner. Walter agreed immediately. "When he came back to me, I wasn’t in a great place health-wise, mentally and physically," Walter admitted. After several months, the charity decided Ren would become an ambassador dog, allowing him to stay with Walter permanently.
"Now we go around to different functions, so he’s earning his keep that way. He’s sort of semi-retired now," Walter added. "The whole point of this story is that when he came back to me, I wasn’t in a great place. He absolutely helped me out. I was good for him, and he was good for me. I always say there’s no better therapy than a dog."
Spreading Joy at the Being You Centre
After sharing Ren's story with the hospice team, staff encouraged Walter to bring him along to sessions. The effect was immediate and profound. "He just puts a smile on everyone’s faces. The staff are so wonderful with him," Walter said. Seeing the staff's and fellow patients' reactions to Ren confirmed the dog's positive influence, providing comfort and peace during their time at the hospice.
Reflecting on his overall experience at Moya Cole Hospice, Walter was full of praise. "Sometimes when you start these things, you think ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ or ‘Is this going to work for me?’ But they were all superb and the staff were wonderful. I really really enjoyed the sessions."
Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care for patients with life-limiting illnesses from its sites in Heald Green, Stockport, and Little Hulton, Salford. Its services include:
- Inpatient care, day therapy, and outpatient services.
- A Hospice at Home service in Salford and Trafford.
- A Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford.
- A homelessness palliative care service in Manchester.
- A 24-hour telephone advice line for patients, carers, and professionals in Salford, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport.
