A rescue dog who helped wake his owner from a coma has qualified as a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog.
Civil engineer Andy Szasz, from Southampton, Hampshire, had been admitted to intensive care with
pneumonia having overcome bowel cancer. He was put into a medically-induced coma and wife, Estelle, sought special permission from the staff to take in their pet, Teddy, a schnauzer-poodle cross adopted from an RSPCA shelter, for a visit.
She said she believed his barking encouraged Andy to wake three days earlier than expected.
PAT provides a visit service to hospitals, hospices, care homes and schools across the country, and Teddy will now be able to help other patients at the hospital that saved Andy’s life.
Andy said: “It was my wish to make Ted a PAT dog to repay the wonderful work the charity does in cheering up patients and the fantastic hospital staff.”
Teddy received the RSPCA’s special animal award at the charity’s Honours in 2017.
