THE Alexandra Hospital in Redditch has welcomed a brand new team member - a loveable two-year-old Rough Collie called Merryn.

The canine, who is part of national charity Therapy Dogs Nationwide, has teamed up with the hospital to help provide therapy for patients.

Keith and Jackie Medler, who look after Merryn, brought her in this week to visit some of the wards and meet staff and patients.

She will be visiting wards at the hospital to provide comfort, relaxation and anxiety relief for patients during their stay.

Ward manager at the Alexandra Hospital, Russell Dawes, said: “It’s great to see patients uplifted and motivated when they see Merryn.”

Research has proven that dogs can have therapeutic effects on patients, in particular those who have had a stroke or are living with dementia.

Merryn has good pedigree in helping humans, having previously help teach Worcestershire school children to learn their left and right and help teach them how to listen at story time.

Owners Keith and Jackie said: “As soon as Merryn passed the temperament test we started taking her on visits and we love to see how much people can benefit after just a short time with her.”

Merryn follows in the paw-steps of Aero, the border collie who has been helping at Worcestershire Royal Hospital since July 2016, visiting patients living with dementia or those who have had a stroke.