![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260625_102933-1536x1087.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn clinic, little Cooper is a calm and reassuring presence.<\/p>\n
Dr Helen Grote and little Cooper(Image: NHSGGC)<\/p>\n
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) have shone light on a much-loved four legged member of staff. Cooper, a hearing dog<\/a> for Consultant Neurologist Dr Helen Grote, joined the Neurology team at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital<\/a> in 2024 and remains a valued presence.<\/p>\n Since moving to Glasgow, both Helen and Cooper have settled quickly into life in Scotland.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been going really well,\u201d Helen said. \u201cCooper has settled in brilliantly \u2013 and is loving life here. It\u2019s great having Loch Lomond and the Trossachs on our doorstep and we spend time there whenever we can.\u201d<\/p>\n NHSGGC\u2019s neurology service cares for patients from across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as the wider west of Scotland, with Helen splitting her working week between Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth and University Hospital Ayr.<\/p>\n Cooper is a familiar face at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth<\/p>\n \u201cAt the QEUH I do more specialist work in movement disorders, whilst in Ayr most of my work is general neurology clinics and ward referrals \u2013 you see everything from headaches and seizures to memory concerns,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hospitals are very different too \u2013 the QEUH is huge and urban, while Ayr is smaller and right next to open countryside. We often go for a walk in the morning there, and Cooper loves it.\u201d<\/p>\n In clinic, Cooper is a calm and reassuring presence.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just curls up on his little mat and snoozes,\u201d Helen said. \u201cPatients always comment on how well behaved he is.\u201d<\/p>\n Patients are introduced to Cooper before they arrive, with a postcard included in appointment letters explaining his role and highlighting Helen\u2019s hearing loss.<\/p>\n \u201cIt helps set things up really nicely,\u201d she said. \u201cPatients know to face me, speak clearly and not cover their mouths \u2013 it just makes communication easier.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it\u2019s also a great icebreaker. If someone is anxious, having that common ground through Cooper can really help them relax.\u201d<\/p>\n Cooper also supports Helen beyond the clinic.<\/p>\n Cooper also supports Helen beyond the clinic. She said: \u201cHe\u2019s a great help at work and at home, just having him there, especially at night, is a real comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n On top of that, he has changed Helen\u2019s experience in wider professional settings.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the past I could feel quite isolated at conferences or events,\u201d she said. \u201cNow I find that people are interested in Cooper, so they come over and start conversations \u2013 it makes things much more inclusive.\u201d<\/p>\n Back within the department, Cooper has become a familiar and welcome sight for colleagues and patients alike.<\/p>\n Susan Groom, Director of Regional Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: \u201cWe want all of our staff to feel supported and able to thrive in their roles, and Helen\u2019s experience shows how straightforward adjustments can make a real difference.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been great to see how well Helen has settled into her role, and Cooper has become a popular member of the team too.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we mark Take Your Dog to Work Day, it\u2019s a nice opportunity to recognise the positive impact that support animals \u2013 and a welcoming workplace \u2013 can have for both staff and patients.\u201d<\/p>\n Take Your Dog to Work Day offers a chance to celebrate the positive role dogs can play in the workplace, from boosting wellbeing to supporting inclusion. This year, it landed on Friday, June 26.<\/p>\n For Helen, Cooper has made a real difference.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s made a huge difference to my confidence and independence,\u201d she said. \u201cI really can\u2019t imagine being without him now.\u201d<\/p>\n Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a UK charity that trains dogs like Cooper to alert their deaf partners to important sounds, while also providing companionship and support.<\/p>\n![\"Cooper](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Image.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Cooper](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260625_102534-1536x999.jpg\")
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