An English cocker spaniel named Muppet has received the Pets As Therapy (PAT) Dog of the Year. Nominations for Muppet poured in from Royal United Hospital’s children’s ward. Muppet and her owner Leisl De Lafontaine have been volunteering at the children’s ward for five years. They touched many hearts including that of a terminally ill girl named Emily who died later this year. Ms De Lafontaine said, “After she transferred to Bristol hospital I really got to see her come out of her shell. She loved Muppet dearly. Her parents even came to Crufts to see Muppet get her award, which was really lovely. Her dad sent me a text saying: ‘We are here and we are totally overwhelmed.'”
Pets As Therapy is national organization providing therapy dogs and cats to facilities such as hospice and special needs schools throughout the United Kingdom. The organization also conducts research in the advancement of pet therapy.