“Ernie loves going on the ward and people look forward to his visits” – Lisa and Ernie’s canine befriender story

How long have you volunteered for the Trust?

Ernie and I have been volunteering for the Trust now for 7 months.

What roles have you volunteered in within the Trust before this role?

This is our first volunteer role with the Trust.

Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

I love to socialise and meet people.

I have been a military wife for 22 years. I have two daughters and two grandchildren. I lived in Germany for four years. I began volunteering over there with Home Start, offering support to women who were part of the military family, whilst their husbands were deployed. I found this very rewarding and enjoyed meeting and helping people.

Why did you decide to volunteer for the Trust?

I work for NHS Supply Chain in the finance department. I wanted to give something back, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and then I met Angie Barker with Mindy, at a Veterans event. Angie talked about the canine befriending service, and it sounded interesting.

I like to help people; I love dogs and have two myself.  Initially, I put my other dog forward and she did pass the test, which I was delighted about, but then she pulled a ligament in her leg and wasn’t able to do it. I spoke with Angie and asked if I could put Ernie forward. He passed with flying colours! Ernie is a French Bull dog; he is six years old now and has been with the family from five months old. We are his fourth family! Ernie loves his volunteer role and wears his bandana with pride. He goes crazy at home when I get the blue bag out, that’s his signal that he knows where we are going, and he cannot wait to get in the car.  He just loves it!

What role do you do now?

Ernie and I are canine befrienders on Bretton Ward.

Tell me a little bit about your role?

Ernie and I volunteer on Bretton Ward. We do twenty-minute sessions with service users, and they love it when he comes on the ward.  They stroke him and play with him.  When we first started, Ernie just jumped into the lap of one of the service users and I was worried about that, but I checked with the service user and staff to ask if it was okay, and it was. The staff on duty came to see us later and said it couldn’t have happened to anyone better, as they needed a lot of support. Ernie’s very good at that, he seems to have a nose for someone who needs him.

Ernie is very good at getting everyone smiling and I do think he gives the service users a real boost, they do look forward to his visits. He does have his favourites though, and always makes sure they get to see him.

Ernie has become quite the celebrity at Fieldhead. People meet us in the carpark and ask if it’s Ernie, they love to see him, and he looks forward to meeting people and getting all the attention.

What do you like about your role?

Giving something back.

I wasn’t sure if it would work at first, but Ernie has taken to it very well. He seems happy to meet people, and they look forward to his visits and spending time with him. I love the way people react when Ernie enters the ward, it really does seem to lift spirits. Ernie takes his volunteering role very seriously.

What do you hope to gain from your role?

I love spending time with Ernie and like to meet people. I already work for the NHS so it’s not about a job for me. I am just so pleased that I can give something back, by doing what I love; being with Ernie and helping people, it’s very rewarding.

Do you think the Trust is a good place to volunteer?

Yes, I have no complaints. Angie and Helen are great, they are very welcoming, but also just let me get on with it too and I like that and Ernie does too!

Would you recommend volunteering with us to family & friends?
Yes.

Would you recommend volunteering as a gateway to a career with the Trust a good place to start if you want to pursue a career with the NHS?

Yes, I would. However, I already work for the NHS Supply Chain, so it’s not about getting a job for me, although I wanted to try and link both my NHS role and my volunteer role together. I spoke with my boss and asked if there was any way we could do this. They looked into it, and as a result, Ernie’s photo and story was linked to the NHS Supply Chain, and I’m delighted to say they agreed to promoted Ernie’s story and information on canine befriending services on their webpage.

Do you feel your volunteer contribution is meaningful and rewarding?

Definitely. Ernie loves going on the ward and seeing people and they look forward to his visits.