Health

Bella the rescue dog wins awards for therapy work for soldiers


Soldiers struggling with PTSD, anxious ­children and dementia patients are all being treated by a dog who knows all about stress.

Bichon frise Bella, who spent the first six months of her life locked in a cupboard, has been named therapy dog of the year for her work ­helping heal ­invisible wounds

She was rescued in 2015 by ex-serviceman Barry Coase, who soon discovered there was ­something special about his new companion.

He said: “I couldn’t work out why Bella kept waking me at night, licking my left ear but then I realised what she was doing.

“She was stopping my ­nightmares, sensing my anxiety and making me feel comforted.

Barry Coase, with Bella and Martin Smith

 

“It was amazing how this poor little dog who’d been so abused had this empathy and healing power.” Barry, 58, was suffering with then undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, ­having ­retired from the Army in 1991 after 14years.

When he had a ­panic attack, Bella would sit on his feet, put her paws on his knees and look into his eyes until he felt better.

He said: “It was like she knew where I was because she’d been there too, having survived ­trauma. She needed me as much as I needed her.”

Barry realised his cute fluffy pup could help others too.

He recalled: “We bumped into an old lady who asked if she could hold her. Then the woman started crying. Bella ­instinctively ­cuddled up to her, putting her head on her shoulder.

“Within seconds the woman stopped crying.”

Stock of a British soldier
Bella works with soldiers at the Combat Stress centre (file photo)

 

Barry then contacted charity Pets As Therapy and had her assessed to confirm his hunch.

Within weeks he was getting calls from schools, hospitals and the PTSD charity Combat Stress.

He said: “Our whole week is packed with ­visits, from children with special needs, stroke ­patients, ­anxious children about to have ­operations, ­patients under ­palliative care about to pass on.

“There’s never a day she doesn’t make someone’s life a little bit better.”

It was not until last March that Barry, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, finally got his formal PTSD diagnosis.

Today it is Bella’s work with soldiers at the Combat Stress centre that makes him proudest.

He said: “I know what those veterans are going through – how PTSD can rip your world apart like it ­nearly did mine.

Bella helps soldiers with PTSD

“Seeing someone who has been through military ­training and survived several tours being so touched by this lovely little dog makes your heart melt.”

The pair make the three-hour round trip to the centre in Leatherhead, Surrey, once a month and see on average six veterans.

Martin Smith, 54, who served in the RAF for 31years, completing tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been helped by Bella.

Martin said: “I’ve been ­supported by Combat Stress, and having Bella visit me has been a godsend. The calming effect is ­incredible, like she touches ­pressure points to get to the core of what’s ­unsettling you.”

Last month, Bella was named Pets As Therapy Dog of the Year at Crufts for her work – ­nominated by the schools, hospitals and community groups she visits.

Barry said: “From me being so ill, she’s changed my world and will be changing other people’s lives for years to come. I feel blessed to be her owner.”

Visit combatstress.org.uk and petsastherapy.org for more.

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