A dog has been hailed the UK's "first doggy midwife" after helping her pregnant owner through childbirth.
Amee Tomkin's dog Belle, two, is believed to be one of the first dogs in the UK ever to be allowed on a hospital labour ward. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was Amee, 33, through fertility treatment, as well as scans and midwife appointments throughout her pregnancy.
Amee said her dog is so wellbehaved that Milton Keynes University Hospital allowed Belle to join her on the maternity ward before she had a c-section in April.
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Belle was waiting for Amee when she came out of theatre and was the first to meet Olly, her newborn son. Amee has been training Belle since she was a pup, and the dog helps her deal with her autism, OCD, anxiety and panic attacks.
Amee said: "Belle can detect symptoms of a panic attack, and does things like help me find exits in crowded places if she senses I'm feeling anxious. She presses buttons on lifts and she even holds my debit card against the machine to pay for things when we’re shopping.
"Basically, without her, I’m too anxious to leave the house. I’d just stay indoors all day and every day. She came with me to all my appointments during my pregnancy and kept me calm. I couldn't have done it without her."
The prospect of giving birth without Belle there worried Amee, but thankfully this didn't have to be the case. The now mum-of-one added: "As soon as she saw Olly, she gently sniffed him then gave his face a tiny lick to welcome him.
"Since then she has never left his side."
Milton Keynes University Hospital has been approached for comment.
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