Loyal Staffie is the first dog allowed on to maternity ward to help owner through childbirth
A LOYAL Staffie has become the first dog allowed on to a labour ward as she helped her owner through childbirth.
Assistance dog Belle was by owner Amee Tomkins’ side throughout her pregnancy — even attending fertility, scan and midwife appointments.
And after Amee, 33, had a caesarean, the two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier was waiting on the ward to greet her and healthy baby son, Olly, who weighed in at 7lb 7oz.
She said: “As soon as Belle saw him, she gently sniffed him then gave his face a tiny lick to welcome him. Since then she has never left his side.”
Amee, of Milton Keynes, Bucks, has struggled with autism and severe anxiety, which makes leaving her home an ordeal.
She bought Belle as a pup two years ago and trained her to help her.
After 12 years of fertility treatment, Amee and her partner Paul found she was expecting — and Belle was with her through her pregnancy.
She was so calm at outpatient appointments that Milton Keynes University Hospital agreed she could be there for Olly’s arrival in April.
Amee said: “Without her, I’m too anxious to leave the house. I’d just stay indoors all day and every day.
“She came with me to all my appointments during my pregnancy. I couldn’t have done it without her.
“She’s opened up the whole world for me, let me become a mum and I owe her so much.”