Image source, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

At a glance

A new therapy dog is helping young people who are being treated for eating disorders to be put at ease and laugh, his trainer said.

Sipho, the 10-month-old labradoodle puppy, goes with his owner, Bronwyne Stott, a paediatric nurse, to The Brambles, in Duston, Northampton.

Ms Stott, who works for the service run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), said: "He instinctively seems to know who is feeling anxious or vulnerable and will sit with his chin on their foot."

She said when he greets patients the entrance "they immediately feel more relaxed".

Image source, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The children and young people enjoy taking him for a walk around the garden, which makes them more open about how they are feeling, the trust said.

"He makes them laugh and gets them chatting. They can sit and stroke him which puts the children, and their parents, at ease," Ms Stott said.

Staff also take him for a walk in their breaks to help with their own wellbeing.

A parent, whose daughter has an eating disorder, said: "It was a validating opportunity for her to have her , external and Twitter, external. If you have a story for us, email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external

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