Photo:  Chris the Greyhound with Owner Samantha Marshall

A Management Accountant at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, returns to work after hours with her dog to offer pet therapy to patients at East Surrey Hospital.  

Samantha Marshall who has worked at SASH for four years, and her greyhound Chris visit the hospital every Sunday afternoon to allow Chris to meet patients.  They became involved with the Pets as Therapy charity in August last year.  The charity provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices and schools by volunteers with their own friendly dogs.  

Deputy Chief Nurse at the hospital, Victoria Daley, said the visits have a positive impact on the physiological and psychological wellbeing of patients.

Service men and women from Headley Court, The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, paraded through Dorking’s High Street in a celebratory farewell to the District.  The facility will be moving to its new home in Loughborough.

Dorking High Street was closed for the event which was attended by The Countess of Wessex as Dave King reports.