Continuing with extracts from our printed monthly Pets As Therapy series, it’s time to meet Rolo!
Rolo, owned by Claire Dean from Southend-on-Sea, regularly visits patients at Southend University Hospital, as well as care home residents in Essex.
Rolo is a healthy bundle of joy, bringing smiles to everyone he meets. However, when Claire first heard about the tiny springer spaniel-cross at an RSPCA rescue centre, the pup weighed only 5 lbs and was in such a poor condition as a result of being born at a puppy farm, it was feared he wouldn’t survive.
Claire’s family soon fell in love when they met little Rolo, and back at home they were amazed at how gentle and extremely affectionate he was, despite everything that he’d been through. Four years on, Rolo is now caring for others.
“Rolo is such a sweet-natured fellow,” volunteer Claire says. “He’s very friendly and professional. He knows to behave when he’s working. When he’s not at work, though, he can be a mischievous boy – but he’s very funny.”