PHOENIX: A stay in hospital can be difficult and upsetting for elderly patients who have to leave their beloved pets with family or friends.
But a new intiative is seeing dementia patients being given realistic “fake” puppies to keep them company during their stay.
The small, cute and furry pups look and feel real, with simulated breathing and heartbeats, but without the toilet training, feeding or walking a real dog needs.
Managers say they are causing quite a stir amongst staff and have triggered remarkable responses from dementia patients.