PATIENTS at a Southampton hospital are enjoying speedier recoveries - thanks to Cognac.

Far from allowing alcohol on the wards, doctors are finding a four-legged friend expert at taking patients' minds off their aches and pains.

Cognac the Border collie has been a regular visitor to Southampton General Hospital since March.

Visitors, staff and patients alike look forward to his Wednesday afternoon visits to the children's and rehab wards.

Now the black and white four-year-old is having his services officially recognised with an award.

Cognac is one of 50 hospital volunteers due to collect a gong from Southampton mayor Dennis Harryman today.

Owner Sue Cole, from West Wellow, said: "I think it is wonderful.

"Cognac absolutely loves all the attention he gets on his hospital visits; he wiggles all over with enthusiasm.

"It always takes us ages to get from the main entrance to the wards because everyone wants to stop and speak to him.

"He is one of those dogs who is always so enthusiastic and gives everyone such a lovely greeting. It is wonderful to see people's reactions.

"He must make about 100 people smile on every visit."

Kim Sutton, voluntary services co-ordinator at Southampton General Hospital, said: "Cognac and Sue brighten the lives of the children and rehab patients they visit and also help raise a smile on the faces of visitors and staff.

"Cognac has been an exceptional volunteer; always happy to help, reliable and dedicated to his role of helping in the hospital. What more could you ask for?"

As a pup, Cognac had always been the life and soul of the party wherever he went.

Sue noticed how the happy hound would cheer up everyone at her father's nursing home in Devon when they visited.

When he was about eight months old, she decided to get him signed up as a Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog.

The charity provides therapeutic visits to hospitals and other venues by volunteers are their friendly, temperament tested dogs and cats.

Nowadays, Sue is used to Cognac hogging the limelight.

"Everyone always rushes up and says 'Hello Cognac!' when they see us.

"One day, someone will actually say 'Hello Sue!' she joked.

Cognac also finds time in his busy schedule to visit several local nursing homes to cheer up residents.

Sue said: "As a Border collie, he is very intelligent and needs to be stimulated. As far as I am concerned, the visits are a way of keeping him out of mischief."

PETS AS THERAPY FACTFILE:

Pets as Therapy (PAT) is a national charity founded in 1983.

It provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and other venues by volunteers with their own friendly, temperament-tested and vaccinated dogs and cats.

Since its beginning, more than 18,000 dogs have been registered with the PAT scheme.

Every year some of these retire, and new dogs, having first been examined and passed on health, suitability and stability grounds, join up.

Today, there are about 3,500 active PAT dogs and 90 cats at work in the UK, giving more than 10,000 people the chance to cuddle and talk to them.

An estimated half a million

bedsides are visited every year.

Sick patients often feel isolated and even the most withdrawn open up and let the barriers down when a PAT dog visits.

Each PAT dog has an identifying tag on its collar and many wear a

distinctive yellow coat.

To find out more about the scheme, contact PAT on 0870 240 1239.