60 BELLA THE BICHON FRISE RESCUE
A BUNDLE OF THERAPY HAVING BELLA HAS CHANGED MY LIFE COMPLETELY. SHE HAS ENABLED ME TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MY SYMPTOMS AND NEW CONFIDENCE IN DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH THEM.
On Christmas day I registered with Bichon Frise Rescue UK, after losing my own little Bichon. We were lucky enough to rescue Bella as a tiny pup aged 20 weeks. She was timid, shy, skinny, very unkempt and smelly, and extremely fearful of humans. We were not allowed to see her beforehand, but we were determined she was coming home with us, no matter what. From the day we collected her she slept next to me. During the night she would lick my left ear and then lick the back of my neck - we soon made the connection she was actively waking me up from a nightmare. When she licked my ear, it was to wake me, she calmed me down by licking my neck. That’s when I realised what a special and empathetic little soul she was and that I needed her as much as she needed me. Bella passed her assessment for Pets as Therapy aged 9 months. We went on to work in special needs schools, mainstream schools, hospitals (ITU, CCU, A&E, Children’s wards, and palliative care) even going into the anaesthetics room with the child until they were put under. Bella always snuggled in closely. During those visits Bella demonstrated a real comfort and calmness, easing many peoples stresses and anxieties. I served in the military for 14 years on Tanks with 14/20th Kings Hussars. I have CPTSD and have struggled over the years with anxiety and anger. I was finally diagnosed in 2018. I was fortunate to be counselled by the NHS Transition Intervention Liaison Service (TILS), now known as Operation Courage. Bella was present throughout my 30 sessions and helped to bring me comfort and a sense of wellbeing. I see her as part of a team, in many ways my co-worker. She remains an important part of my healing process. Bella has made such a difference to me. In recognition of Bella’s ability to help me, I knew I needed to share her incredible therapeutic qualities with fellow veterans also suffering with their mental health. I wrote to Combat Stress offering our services and we are now accepted as part of the clinical therapeutic team. Prior to COVID we would make monthly visits, sometimes more often, if required. The unit re-opened in July 2022 for continued residential care. When Veterans are starting their course of treatment, they can feel an array of emotions including apprehension, fear, anger, and sadness. Some have dogs at home whom they miss dearly. Bella appears able to sense who needs support the most and approach them first. If they wish to pet Bella, she will sit with them for as long as they desire, often giving deep pressure therapy, a method of helping the veteran to feel a sense of calm. If a veteran does not feel at the stage where they wish to interact, Bella moves on to the next person. Her demeanour and temperament help them to relax. We sit with the veterans, gauge the atmosphere, and when appropriate we chat, laugh, joke, and enjoy the old familiar military banter - something that feels so comforting to anyone who is ex-military. We soon establish a rapport to help veterans through the first stages of treatment by means of effective communication. Bella’s visits can indeed be the start of a talking point for some veterans and is viewed as a very positive approach
