Covid patient finally visited by beloved dog after 85 days in hospital
A man who has been in hospital since August after contracting Covid-19 was overjoyed when he finally had a visit from his beloved dog.
Vic Sharrard, aged 69, had been in Walsall Manor Hospital’s Critical Care Unit for nearly three months when staff arranged for his much-missed French Bulldog, Ralph, to visit him in his hospital bed.
And after 85 days apart, the former lorry driver’s face lit up when he was finally able to see his two-year-old dog again, making the most of the special moment by giving him a hug and treats.
Mr Sharrard now has a tracheotomy, but he communicated with the help of senior sister Becky Adams. He said that he had really missed Ralph and is used to taking him out for a walk with his wife Patricia.
Mr Sharrard became ill at home in August after contracting Covid-19; while he was doubly vaccinated, he also has underlying health conditions.
The father-of-two believes he wouldn’t have survived the virus if he hadn’t been vaccinated, and gave a massive thumbs up to the fantastic care he has received in the unit.
Nurse Becky Adams said: “Vic is another one of our miracles. He was so poorly and has really been through the mill.
“Now we’re working to get him on to a ward and home and this visit today has been fantastic to see. It just means so much and I’m glad we were all able to work together to make it happen for him.”
Staff who have been caring for him have worked with critical care rehabilitation and infection prevention colleagues to pull off the visit, knowing it would mean the world to Vic and help him on the road to recovery.
