Volunteering at Te Whatu Ora in the Waikato

The Canine Pet Therapy team are a small team of three volunteers and their dogs who visit patients in our wards. Regular ward visits take place on the Orthopaedic, Older Person Rehabilitation and Paediatric Wards. It takes a dedicated person to prepare their dog and get to the hospital regularly so that our patients can enjoy a canine visit. These skilled volunteers exhibit patience and understanding. They work within our need for confidentiality and take each animal and patient interaction seriously. These volunteers often work with quite ill patients and are always compassionate, gentle and thoughtful - being sensitive to the needs of the people they engage with.

In June 2020 the Canine Pet Therapy Team were awarded a thoroughly deserved “Commendation” in Volunteering Waikato’s Volunteer Excellence Awards – Team Nomination. We are delighted with our fabulous team of Canine Pet Therapy volunteers and the service they provide.

Watch the video below to learn more about what the Canine Pet Therapy team team does:

Approximately two and a half years ago David Whitehead and Catherine Bang were volunteering in OPR4 and saw an opportunity to develop and facilitate a recreational music programme to patients recovering from stroke. Together, and in collaboration with clinical staff, they designed an evidence-based programme that they deliver once a week to patients. There are nine components to each session including greeting in phrases, isochronous tapping, walking/tapping to beat, choral singing with movement and playing instruments.

David and Catherine sourced the equipment needed including guitar, metronome, speakers and click sticks. They lead and encourage patients through each session, supporting them at each stage where needed. As time went by they recruited a third member to the team, Robyn Glenn, who is an ex-staff member and enjoys the ongoing patient contact.

The music group has full support of all staff who see this volunteer contribution as an inspiring enhancement to ward life and the rehabilitation process and activities already taking place.

 This small volunteer team received a commendation award in the team section of Volunteering Waikato’s Excellence Awards in June 2018. We’re very proud of their achievement in what was a highly competitive category of 13 other team nominations – they thoroughly deserve the recognition and accolades of their success!

This small team makes a much valued and truly appreciated contribution to our hospital, bringing a sense of vibrancy and variety into our patients’ treatment time and to our public spaces. Hospitals are challenging clinical environments where technology is dominant – music can uplift and put people at ease.

The dedication, talent and positivity that our volunteer musicians bring to our hospital is very encouraging and we feel privileged to have this service that would otherwise not be available to our patients. Our team of volunteer musicians is growing, so the chance of finding someone singing or playing a musical instrument in our Wards, is growing too! Most days you can find a volunteer playing catchy tunes at the piano in our main corridor – often with an audience of people enjoying some time out and a chance to relax. We also acknowledge, and thank, the many choirs and performance groups who visit Waikato Hospital and provide concerts and performances for patients, visitors and staff. The high standard of these events is a real treat for everyone, and it’s true – music does soothe the soul.

Watch this video below to meet one of our volunteers, Elaine:

Our volunteers can be found right across our sites performing all kinds of tasks which bring smiles to the faces of our patients, visitors and staff and make their experience here better.

We know small things can impact in big ways, and we want to acknowledge the important work they do every day.