Patients at Llanidloes Hospital have been loving visits from a furry friend called James, who visits the hospital as part of the charity Vets as Therapy.

James is a five-year-old English Setter and lives with his owner Martina near Llanidloes. He particularly took a shine to Ivor on the Graham Davies Ward on a recent visit to the day hospital.

Martina said: “He was found starving and alone on a Greek island in 2016, and has two passions in life: flushing birds and cuddling people.

“He gets excited as soon as we pull up at Llanidloes & District War Memorial Hospital and he can’t wait to visit staff and patients.

“A few biscuits from Sister Chris always ensure that he is on his best behaviour. And occasionally he knows that a certain patient needs a few extra cwtches, as has been the case with Ivor. Seeing them cuddled up together, with Ivor softly talking to James, I can’t help but think that my lovely dog understands every word.”

The nursing staff love his visits too.

Sister Chris on Graham Davies Ward at Llanidloes Hospital said: “The visits by James are so good for the patients, and for the staff too. It is clear that they really look forward to him coming, particularly if they are missing pets of their own at home or have had pets in the past.

“The therapeutic benefits are so clear, and it is lovely to see James when he visits us here on the ward and in the day hospital every few weeks.”

Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983. It enhances health and wellbeing in the community through visits by trusted volunteers with behaviourally assessed animals. This includes a visiting services to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, and special needs schools.

The charity says its therapeutic visits enhance lives in communities by providing companionship and friendship and helping to tackle loneliness.

Pets as Therapy also says the visits improve the lives of people suffering from debilitating mental and physical health conditions.

More information about the charity, including how to donate and volunteer, is available at petsastherapy.org