18/02/2022 - Permalink

Coronavirus: News from our partners – Therapy Dogs at RJAH Vaccination Centre to help relax children

Related topics: Coronavirus / Health / Partner organisations

News from our partners NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Service

As children and young people across the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are being urged to get their COVID-19 vaccination over February 2022 half term, Robert Jones and Agnus Hunt (RJAH) vaccination staff and volunteers have enlisted the help of two four legged friends from the charity Therapy Dogs Nationwide to help relax children attending the clinic for the COVID-19 jabs.

Bojangles (Therapy Dog)

Bojangles (Therapy Dog)

Lola, the chihuahua and Bojangles, the Parson Russell Terrier (who is a fly ball champion, TV and film star) will be at RJAH over the half term period at certain times:

  • Saturday 19 February – 8am to 1pm
  • Monday 21 February – 8am to 5pm – featuring Lola 1pm to 4.30pm
  • Tuesday 22 February – 8am to 5pm – featuring Lola 1pm to 4.30pm
  • Thursday 24 February – 8am to 5pm – featuring Bojangles 10.30am to 2pm
  • Friday 25 February 8am to 5pm – featuring Bojangles 10.30am to 2pm
  • Saturday, 19 February 8am to 1pm
Lola (Therapy Dog)

Lola (Therapy Dog)

Jo Costa, a volunteer at the charity and Lola’s owner, commented:-

“Dog therapy is the perfect distraction, Lola loves all the attention and at a vaccination centre she will really help ease the nerves of children as they will be focusing on the dog rather than the jab. All our dogs at Therapy Dogs Nationwide have passed a special temperament assessment test to enable them to be therapy dogs and have worked in other areas before being allowed to work with children.”

Rebecca Warren, Vaccination Lead for RJAH, said:-

“Therapy dogs Lola and Bojangles will be on hand to help at the RJAH vaccination clinics over half term and we hope that they will encourage more young people to come and receive their jab. It is never too late to receive the vaccine, it really is the best protection, and I would encourage anyone eligible to take up the offer.”

Lola (Therapy Dog)

Lola (Therapy Dog)

Children aged 12-15-years-old have been offered vaccinations through their school clinics; however, due to COVID-19 outbreaks, many have been unable to attend, and are required to wait at least 12 weeks following a positive COVID-19 test result.

Parents are being advised to either book an appointment for their child online via the National Booking Service or drop in to a walk-in or pop-up vaccination clinic, for further dates and times please visit: COVID-19 Vaccination Walk-in and Pop-up Clinics (stwics.org.uk). Parents will be asked to attend to provide consent for their child.

For further information on COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people please see: