A YOUNG woman from Reading who was treated for an eating disorder now provides canine-assisted therapy to patients at the same hospital where she was looked after.
Katy Pey, 24, from Reading works as an animal assisted intervention practitioner at The Huntercombe Hospital, Maidenhead, with her "very handsome" two year old black Labrador, Milo.
The hospital looks after children and young people with eating disorders and other complex mental health conditions and it was here Katy was treated.
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Katy joined the Huntercombe team in 2017 and works on all four of the hospital's units seeing individual patients and running an animal assisted therapy group where patients are able to spend quality time with Milo.
She is often told by young people and staff that simply having them on the ward "can really help brighten everyone's mood".
Katy explained "Milo helps the young people by being what they need him to be".
She said: "His presence can help to create a feeling of calm, but he’s just as happy being excitable and playful when they want to be. "Depending on the mood of the young person, Milo can provide sensory support through strokes or cuddles.
"Many of the young people have a pet at home, so bringing Milo in can remind them of their life outside of hospital and motivate them towards the future."
She added: "Milo also helps as a means of communication.
"We have been able to work with selectively-mute young people to encourage them to speak, and also those with Autism Spectrum Disorder to explore both spoken and behavioural communication when in social settings."
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After completing an undergraduate degree in psychology and counselling, Katy is now studying for a masters in integrative counselling and psychotherapy for children and adolescents.
In 2016, Katy started working for Canine Assisted Learning who offer specialist interventions and canine support aimed at improving mental health and emotional wellbeing and it's through them she helps hospital patients.
She said: "One of the best parts of my job is seeing the happiness on the young people’s faces when we enter a room.
"The environment can go from feeling low or frustrated to excited and happy in an instant once Milo comes in."
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