A hospital in Dorset has welcomed a four-legged friend to its corridors.

Lofty, the 34-inch American miniature horse, has been putting a smile on the faces of staff and patients at Blandford Hospital. 

The five-year-old is a qualified therapy horse, whose visits aim to provide comfort for animal-loving patients and encourage them to rekindle memories and spark up a conversation. He has been doing therapy visits since 2015.

Bringing Lofty onto the Tarrant Ward at the hospital was the idea of ward sister Kimberly Witt, who noticed the positive effect he was having at care homes and special needs schools on social media.

Lofty was persuade by owners April and Steve Kibby to don some tailor-made Converse-branded shoes and strut his stuff around the bays. 

Kimberly said: “Lofty’s visits have had an incredible impact on patients and staff here. I knew he would prove popular among everyone he met, but the positivity he brought and the reactions he got from patients was amazing.

“We had one lady in particular with dementia and profound deafness who seemed to strike up an immediate connection with Lofty, having found it difficult to communicate with staff looking after her.

“As soon as Lofty entered her room, she stroked and held his muzzle and gazed into his eyes with a smile. It was moments like this that made the whole thing worthwhile.”

Senior Sister Gill Wood, said: “Lofty’s presence just gave everyone a high, and reminded patients that there is life outside these hospital walls.”

Research has shown that animals can promote relaxation and lower blood pressure in humans, and can also help children who are reluctant to communicate or have low self-esteem.

The demand for Lofty’s return was so high that he will be back in November.

Owner April said: “We are so grateful to the Tarrant team who raised and donated £230. We don’t charge for visits but this really helps.”