A Staffordshire Bull Terrier is now the UK’s ‘first canine midwife’ to assist its owner during labor at a hospital in Buckinghamshire, England.
Belle, a two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, accompanied her owner, Amee Tomkins, 33, through her pregnancy journey.
Belle was with Tomkins in the ambulance, in intensive care and in the labor room after giving birth. And for his outstanding work, the dog won British Pet of the Year 2023.
Tomkins said: “She was the first dog to be allowed on the Work Ward at MK Hospital. It was amazing.”
According to BBCafter seeing the benefits of having Belle alongside Tomkins during her pregnancy, a midwife suggested that the dog be allowed into the ward.
Tomkins explained, “It was decided that a C-section would be better for my anxiety and my autism because I would know exactly what was going on.”
She continued, “Belle was allowed to stay with me before I went to the theater and we got our own bedroom so she could stay with me and the baby afterwards. I was really happy with it. I simply couldn’t have done it without her.
But it wasn’t easy getting Belle into the room. Tomkins said BBC that his assistance dog had to pass a risk assessment before being allowed into the work room.
Tomkins proudly reveals: “She just nailed it all, they were amazed by her.”
From fertility treatment to midwifery appointments and now childbirth, Belle has been helping Tomkins since she was a puppy.
According to the BBC, Tomkins trained Belle to be his service dog, with the help of an animal behaviorist, to help her with her autism, anxiety and panic attacks.
Tomkins acknowledged his midwife was fabulous at her job, but said “Having Belle with me is like having another midwife there all the time, keeping me calm and watching over Olly and myself.”