He’s the hospital visitor with a difference who is guaranteed to put a smile on patients’ faces - and now pug Jack has won an award for his volunteering.

The Pets as Therapy pooch and owner Peta Brabner from Crickhowell are regular visitors to both the stroke and mental health wards at Bronllys Hospital, and scooped an Excellence Award from the Powys teaching Health Board.

Peta said: "It is a very comforting thing sometimes just to have a dog or a cat sitting on your lap, it's about that feeling that they give you, that somebody loves you."

Jack had to pass examinations by registered charity Pets As Therapy (PAT) and has been approved as a therapy dog. This means that he is suitable to enter hospitals and care homes and spend time with the patients.

Peta says she enjoys volunteering because of the satisfaction it gives her. She said: "I got into it through visiting my husband in hospital who had a stroke. I thought I could do something good for the patients and one day I got chatting with them about my new puppy. Everybody wanted to see him and so I asked the nurses if I could bring him in."

PAT aims to enhance lives in our communities by providing companionship and friendship to those in need and help to tackle loneliness. Peta wants to encourage more people to get involved with the charity because there is so much demand for it.

Jack has his favourites at the hospital and and can "instantly tell whether or not someone is a dog person".

His visits have been particularly inspirational to one man. Peta said: "When we first went in he hadn’t spoken in six years because of a stroke.That man’s life has been transformed. He used to just hold my hand and cry but as soon as Jack came on the scene he started to smile again."

Jack is no stranger to award ceremonies and has won several prizes for volunteering but also at local shows. The success, however, has not gone to his head. "He just loves people and of course they’re keen on him so he’s delighted when we go visiting," Peta said. "There are no animals in hospitals or old peoples homes any more. People had to get rid of their pets because of health and safety. If they are used to having animals at home they really miss them in hospital and that’s why Jack is a tremendous comfort to people."

He and Peta were invited to a ceremony to collect their award. Peta said: "He loved the whole thing, he trotted up on stage while everyone was clapping and was showered in confetti from the ceiling."

If you are interested in finding out more about PAT visit www.petsastherapy.org