WHEN you are feeling under the weather there is nothing better than man’s best friend to boost your spirits.

Philip Ive, with his pet labradoodle, Poppy, do just that.

Philip, 68, of Waxwell Road, Hockley, allows Poppy to dispense her own brand of medicine visiting patients in care homes around Southend, brightening their days and cheering them up. As a result, Philip was awarded Volunteer of the Year title, at the Rochford, Rayleigh and District Association of Voluntary Services’ annual volunteer awards. Philip and Poppy have brought hours of joy and laughter to lots of people over the past 18 months, visiting the homes as part of the Pets as Therapy scheme.

He takes her to four care homes, Meyrin House and Whittingham House, in Southend and Fairview House and Milton House, inWestcliff.

The father-of-two also visits Timber Grove, a care home for adults with learning difficulties, in Rayleigh, and the Harbour Club, a day centre for older adults living with dementia, in Battlesbridge.

He said: “The residents really enjoy it.

“When I first started I was undecided as to whether I would carry on.

“I then realised I wasn’t going to get an immediate reaction and it would take a while for people to trust me.

“At Timber Grove, it took about nine or ten months before I was accepted, but now I feel like one of the family. Everyone is always pleased to see me and they know me and Poppy really well.”

Philip knows Poppy is the real star.

He said: “Nobody wants to talk to me, they all want to talk to Poppy.

“I know she enjoys it. When we pull up at Timber Grove she’s bouncing up and down in the back of the car and can’t wait to see everybody.”

Pets as Therapy, a national organisation, says patients often feel isolated and even the most withdrawn seem to open up and let the barriers down when their regular visiting dog is around.

These dogs bring everyday life closer and with it all the happy associations for them of home comforts.

Philip said: “I think the residents find it therapeutic and it helps them a great deal. It’s only since winning the award, I have taken a step back and realised the success.

“For example, one resident didn’t like animals at all, but since meeting Poppy over the last two months, this has changed. He will now go up and touch Poppy. It’s an amazing breakthrough.

Philip has had Poppy since she was a puppy and says they have a really good relationship.

He added: “She loves people. If we walk to the shop and no one’s about, it will take 20 minutes, but if people are about, it can take about an hour and a half! A lot of people in the village know and love Poppy.

“I will continue to volunteer with Pat dogs, I have got a lot from doing it and the residents enjoy it.

“We have never had any problems with her going into the homes.

“I would really recommend doing it and think more people should.”

Jane Bussell, an occupational therapist at the Harbour Club, Battlesbridge, said: “Philip and Poppy are fantastic.

“Poppy is adorable and everybody loves her, members really look forward to seeing her. Philip is dedicated and comes every week without fail.

“Poppy is a very calming influence, especially on people with dementia especially if people have had dogs before.”