A friendly feline who has been offering a calming presence and cuddles to patients at a Northumberland hospital has been recognised with a commendation from the PDSA.
Thirteen-year-old ginger fur ball Yang has been greeting patients at Hexham Hospital and making himself available for a "cuddle and a chat" for around four years. He was originally nominated for the PDSA Order of Merit, the animal equivalent of an OBE by Alison Galilian, from Haydon Bridge, who regularly found herself comforted by his presence at the hospital after her mother's death from pancreatic cancer.
And following her nomination, Alison was inundated with messages from others who have found comfort in Yang when visiting the hospital. Despite that, Yang didn't get the 'top' award, which has never been awarded to a cat, but instead got a PDSA Commendation, which "aims to celebrate the unparalleled devotion and enrichment that animals bring to our lives."
