Linzi Bannister from Croston visits Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Chorley Hospital, along with her Sussex spaniel – who's known as Dr Riggs while doing the rounds. 

PAT Dog Riggs, or Dr Riggs as he's called while on hospital visits, is a great stress reliever for staff. "He boosts morale and everyone looks forward to his visits each week," says PAT Volunteer Linzi. 

"From a patient perspective, we can go into a ward and to a bay of six beds with no one speaking to each other and then they see Dr Riggs and connect with him. No longer isolated in their own anxiety or concerns, patients are often speaking to each other by the time we leave.”

Linzi is also a Volunteer Area Coordinator (VAC), helping to support other local volunteers. “I'm motivated to encourage others as they start their PAT volunteering journey and help them over any stumbling blocks. I also enjoy connecting with volunteers who have been visiting with their dogs for many years. I have managed to match a couple of volunteers with establishments so far and it’s very rewarding.”

Linzi started volunteering after her own cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2023-2024. “When I was going through my cancer treatment, Riggs was my support dog, he knew when I was anxious and would sit close to me or on my lap and it would help calm me.

"I decided to share my support dog with others as a PAT Dog in 2025, and it's one of the best decisions I have made. Dr Riggs loves meeting new people and I smile for the two hours we visit each week. It's such a tonic for me too.”