When Linda Crooks came home from hospital after a life-changing stroke, it wasn’t just her husband Allen who helped pull her through. It was Olive — her much-loved English Sheepdog.
When I was in hospital, getting home to Allen and my beloved Olive gave me something to focus on
— Linda Crooks
“After my stroke, I felt like my whole world had come to an end,” Linda said. “I had to re-learn how to walk. I couldn’t use my left hand properly. Even washing and dressing were a struggle. Emotionally, I was all over the place — crying one minute, snappy the next. It was a very tough time for all of us.”
Now 62, the Belfast woman credits her dog with giving her motivation during the darkest days of recovery.
“When I was in hospital, getting home to Allen and my beloved Olive gave me something to focus on,” she explained. “My goal was simple — I wanted to walk Olive again.”
That powerful bond between people and their pets is at the heart of a new collaboration between Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) and Rosie’s Trust, which aims to ensure no one has to face recovery alone, or worry about being separated from their animal companion.
Una McHugh, communications officer at NICHS, Olive and Jayne McStay, operations manager at Rosie’s Trust
Linda was referred to NICHS’s Family Support Service after her stroke, a moment she still remembers clearly.
“The day Tracy from NICHS phoned me, I could barely speak — I was in floods of tears,” she recalls. “She listened. She supported both me and my husband. It made such a difference knowing someone understood.”
Through NICHS, Linda joined the PREP (Post Stroke Rehabilitation Exercise Programme), working weekly with a physiotherapist to rebuild strength and confidence.
“Each week I could do a little bit more,” she said. “Getting in and out of a chair, stepping up and down, moving my arm — it all added up. It helped me physically, but mentally too.”
At home, Olive became part of Linda’s rehabilitation.
“With my crutch, I’d go out every morning with Allen and Olive,” she says. “Even joining them for a short walk helped my mobility and my confidence. Olive kept me going.”
NICHS sees first-hand how chest, heart and stroke conditions affect entire families, not just individuals. And for many people, pets are family.
Jayne McStay, operations manager at Rosie’s Trust, Linda Crooks with her beloved dog Olive, Amy Coey, service improvement lead at NICHS, and Una McHugh, communications officer at NICHS
That understanding has led to a new six-month pilot programme with Rosie’s Trust in the South Eastern Trust area. The partnership expands Rosie’s Trust’s eligibility to include anyone aged 18 or over living with mobility issues caused by a chest, heart or stroke condition.
Read more: Palliative care: Clearing up the myths and understanding the support available – The Irish News
Founded in 2015, Rosie’s Trust is the only charity in Northern Ireland dedicated to helping people keep their pets during serious illness, end-of-life care or mobility challenges. With more than 200 volunteers, the charity provides practical help such as dog walking, feeding, grooming and vet visits, and, if requested, fostering or rehoming support.
Amy Coey, service improvement Lead at NICHS, said the collaboration fills a vital gap.
“We see every day how a chest, heart or stroke diagnosis impacts the whole family — and pets are absolutely part of that family,” she said.
“This partnership means fewer people will have to face the added stress of worrying about their pets during hospital stays or rehabilitation.”
NICHS staff can now refer people affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions to Rosie’s Trust under the expanded criteria in the South Eastern Trust, while continuing referrals under existing criteria in other trust areas.
“It allows our Family Support Service to truly wrap around every aspect of someone’s life,” Amy added, “so they can focus on recovery with peace of mind.”
Linda believes the new partnership will make a real difference for others like her.
“I was lucky — Allen could look after Olive while I was in hospital,” she said. “But not everyone has family or friends to help. The stress of worrying about your pet, or the fear of having to give them up, would make recovery so much harder.”
She added: “Pets give you comfort, routine, love — all the things you need when life has been turned upside down. I’m so glad other people will be able to recover with their pets by their side.”
Jayne McStay, operations manager at Rosie’s Trust, said the pilot reflects growing need.
“As we mark 10 years of caring for people by caring for their pets, we’re delighted to work with NICHS on this important scheme,” she said.
“With our volunteers and this new partnership, we’re continuing to reach some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in our community — through the pets they love.”
For Linda, the message is simple.
“Olive helped me believe things could get better,” she said. “No one should have to face illness without that kind of love.”
For more information about Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke, or to make a referral or donation, visit nichs.org.uk. For more about Rosie’s Trust, visit rosiestrust.org