Two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Belle, is believed to be one of the first dogs in the UK ever to be allowed on a hospital labour ward.
But the pooch wasn’t just there for expecting mums to admire. No, assistance dog Belle was, essentially, serving as a birthing partner to owner Amee Tomkin.
Belle accompanied 33-year-old Amee through fertility treatment, as well as scans and midwife appointments throughout her pregnancy.
The dog was so paw-fectly behaved that Milton Keynes University Hospital, Bucks, allowed her to support nervous Amee on the maternity ward before she had a caesarean section in April.
Loyal pooch Belle was even waiting for Amee as she came out of theatre and was the first to meet Olly, her newborn son, in April 2023.
Doctors decided a C-section would be better for Amee’s autism and anxiety, because she would know exactly what was happening.
Since she was a tiny pup, Belle has been trained by Amee to be an assistance dog, helping her deal with her autism, anxiety and panic attacks.
Amee, from Milton Keynes, said: ‘Belle was waiting patiently in the hospital room when I went to theatre to have my baby.
‘And when I was wheeled back, she was the first to meet Olly – I couldn’t have done it without her.’
Amee bought Belle in 2021 after struggling with autism, OCD and anxiety, but instantly felt a connection with the pup.
The now mum-of-one said from the beginning it was clear Belle was a natural at assisting her.
For the past eighteen months, the pup has accompanied Amee wherever she goes – and when she fell pregnant with her son Olly, after 12 years of fertility treatment, nothing changed.
Together they attended appointments and scans throughout her entire pregnancy – and Amee says her midwife was surprised by Belle’s beautifully calm nature.
Amee said: ‘Belle can detect symptoms of a panic attack, and does things like help me find exits in crowded places if she senses I’m feeling anxious.
‘She presses buttons on lifts and she even holds my debit card against the machine to pay for things when we’re shopping.
‘Basically, 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 and kept me calm – I couldn’t have done it without her.’
The prospect of giving birth without Belle by her side was worrying for Amee, so her midwife asked Milton Keynes University Hospital if she could accompany her on the ward.
Once the green light was given, doctors allowed the dog to sleep on Amee’s hospital bed where she’d rest her nose gently on her bump, near her belly button.
Amee said: ‘It was as though she was checking the baby’s heartbeat when I was pregnant.
‘She even learned to tell the difference between the baby’s heartbeat and my own. It was such a reassurance.
‘Belle was allowed to stay with me before I went went to theatre and we were given our own room so she could stay with me and the baby afterwards.
‘As soon as she saw Olly, she gently sniffed him then gave his face a tiny lick to welcome him. Since then she has never left his side.’
Milton Keynes University Hospital has been contacted for comment.
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