An assistance dog visited the children’s ward at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry to support a patient undergoing a procedure. The dog, a four-and-a-half-year-old Labradoodle named Mia, provided comfort during treatment.

Mia is trained by Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland, an organisation that provides autism and disability assistance dogs to families and schools across the region. The charity’s founder, Geraldine McGaughey, noted that such dogs help manage anxiety and make hospital visits and medical appointments more achievable.

Play specialist nurse Cathy Grady said the visit brought a noticeably positive atmosphere to the ward, with families and staff welcoming the animal’s presence. She confirmed that funding for the visit came from the Friends of Altnagelvin charity.

Karrine Doherty, whose autistic daughter Clodagh has benefited from time with Mia, explained that healthcare appointments had previously been extremely difficult for her child. The family now relies on Mia’s presence to attend these appointments.

The visit highlighted the practical role of assistance dogs in reducing stress for young patients and their families. Staff at Altnagelvin expressed hope that Mia would return to the children’s ward in future.