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.
The news was announced in a post from Poppy's own social media account which said: "News from my good self. Tomorrow I turn 70 in hooman years & I have decided the time has come for me to put my paws up I have served for nearly 5 years @NewcastleHosps @NChaplaincy & loved my role & each of you. Apprentice Fern will be taking over ASAP. Dog bless you all. PJ out."
The hospital chaplaincy have run initiatives called "pats and chats" and "mooch with a pooch" to help NHS staff members relax and decompress during stressful moments. The hound's statement also thanked Dame Jackie Daniel - hospital trust chief executive - for supporting the plan to bring in a welfare dog.
Dame Jackie herself even paid a tribute. She said: "Our staff welfare hound Poppy Jingles is putting her paws up and retiring after 5 years of dedicated service to Newcastle Hospitals.
"I know she has brought so much joy to staff through her ‘pat and chat’ and ‘mooch with the pooch’ sessions and will be a huge miss, although I’m know her owner, our head of chaplaincy Katie Watson, will ensure she doesn’t miss out on the treats she’s become accustomed to on her travels."
Earlier this year, Poppy's owner - chaplain Katie - explained how the four-legged hero made a real difference, though perhaps moreso to the dog-lovers, working at the hospitals.
"She's such a help to staff," she said. "Staff have come and borrowed her, or her and a chaplain if they need to talk, and taken her for a walk around the grounds or perhaps off into Paddy Freeman's park. She's really a part of the hospital."
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