After five years of dedicated service, one of Newcastle's most popular NHS workers is preparing for retirement.
Poppy, 10, is young to be taking her pension. But then she's also a spaniel. Full name Poppy Jingles, she has been the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust's first staff welfare dog at the RVI and the Freeman - and under the care of head chaplain Katie Watson has played a key role in looking after staff who might need a moment to breathe, or just fancy stroking a cute four-legged friend.
Poppy even featured in the TV documentary Geordie Hospital - winning the hearts of animal lovers around the country. She will - at the age of 70 when converted for dog years - take a deserved retirement, but will be replaced by the former "apprentice" staff welfare dog Fern the labrador.
