Jane and Fizzy’s Story
Continuing our series of celebrating amazing people, we met with Jane who volunteers at St Wilfrid’s Hospice with her therapy dog, Fizzy. It felt only right that we shared Jane’s during Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June) – a time to recognise the many wonderful volunteers who give their time helping our charity and the patients we care for.
Why did you decide to volunteer at St Wilfrid’s and how long have you been giving your time?
I have been volunteering since about 2018, when St Wilfrid’s moved to its new Hospice building. There was a lot of discussion in the village about the Hospice coming to Bosham and I thought it could be good for patients to have someone to talk to, someone to listen – and I knew I could take my dog Fizzy with me who is a Canine Concern therapy dog. I am local and don’t live very far away, which also appealed to me, and I have a background in hospital chaplaincy and listening. Nowadays, I visit the Hospice once a month and I really enjoy it. There are about four of us who have therapy dogs and volunteer our time.
Can you tell me about your dog, Fizzy?
I first saw Fizzy on the internet. I think he might be a Pointer Cross – you can certainly see the Pointer breed in him. He was looking between two metal bars at a dog pound in Almeria. I’d already had a dog from the same place who I’d had about six months, and I thought I would get another for company. Sadly, the other dog is no longer with me, but for a long time, I had the two of them as well as various other dogs who came and went because I used to foster. Fizzy is now about 13 years old.
I’d always intended for Fizzy to stay and be my dog. He’d obviously been a stray in Almeria and he needed some training, but he had such a sweet, gorgeous and serene face – and he just fitted right in. He’s always been very easy to look after. Interestingly, he’s never been a dog that wants a cuddle. So, he’s a dog who can give comfort and affection to others, as he does here at the Hospice, but he doesn’t demand cuddles himself.
Fizzy is a therapy dog. How did that happen; how did you get involved?
Yes, Fizzy is a therapy dog and loves coming to the Hospice to meet patients. I was first introduced to Canine Concern by a friend who had three Pointers who were therapy dogs. We were walking one day, and she asked if I would like to go with her to one of her therapy dog sessions. I gave it a try, and we went to Durrington College two or three times, spending time with students. Fizzy loved it and the students loved him – and I realised what a great thing it was to do. So, I had him properly assessed by Canine Concern. During the assessment, they look for a dog that is kind and shockproof. One of the things they do is drop something behind them and see what their reaction is! They also asked a lot of questions about the dog’s temperament and traits.
You say you have a background in hospital chaplaincy. How does that help with your volunteering?
I know about listening and I like helping people to speak – and I am not put off by being with visibly ill people. So, I have skills that complement the therapy that Fizzy provides. I’m a good listener and I enjoy talking to people – and they seem to like speaking to me.
When you bring Fizzy to the Hospice, what do you do and what kind of interaction do you have with people here?
We always visit the patients and Clinical Team on the Ward first, and then we visit employees in some of the offices – where Fizzy will often be given treats, which he loves! We also get to meet and speak with visitors in the reception and café area, if it seems appropriate.
When on the Ward, I first speak with the Clinical Team to check which rooms are ok to visit and I will walk door to door, going in if I think it’s appropriate and if the person is happy to see Fizzy. If a door is shut, I might knock and put my head round and say, “would you like to meet a therapy dog?”. Sometimes people don’t and that’s fine. It’s personal choice.
If they do, I might lift Fizzy up so that the patient can see and stroke him. Or we might just sit there and chat to loved ones. I remember one time; the patient was very poorly and was a dog lover – and he spoke to the dog. His wife said that it was the first time he’d spoken in a while. It’s all about those moments; triggering happy memories. Our visits might be brief, or we might be there for a while – it all depends on what the patient and their loved ones want.
You clearly enjoy being a volunteer for St Wilf’s – is there anything else you’d like to say about that?
I am a real supporter of what the Hospice does for local people, and I like the welcome I get when I come in. I like the community feel that you get here. When I walk through the Ward and the office corridors I feel like I am part of the Hospice team. That’s due to being made to feel like I am – and the fact I have got to know so many friendly employees over the years.
I also like to show my support in other ways when I can, not just as a therapy dog owner. I attended the Sahara Trek briefing the other day and considered taking on the challenge in October 2027! After much thought, I’ve decided not to do that, however, I’ve also volunteered at the Moonlight Walk helping on the check-in, and I am doing the walk myself this year.
I’m 80 but I hope to be able to volunteer with Fizzy and my younger therapy dog, Teazle, for many more years. I really enjoy it, and as long as I can do it, I want to be able to. I need to be doing something outside of just entertaining myself. So, to go around and see people smile and share my dog with them, it’s just a lovely thing to do.
