Holly was the first PAT dog to work with Sr Mary John. She fulfilled her role for 15 years as an AA dog specialising in Stroke Rehabilitation and Mental Health. Hollies was twice nominated for PAT Dog of the Year at Crufts and was runner-up on those occasions. Both received a significant award from David Cameron for their volunteer work in society and their charity work.
Holly was succeeded by Molly. Molly was exceptional! She too was an AA dog. Sister Mary John visited the three hospitals in Leicester with her. Every afternoon they would be caring for and working with the mental health patients and stroke patients. They would together walk the streets and interact with people, giving support, encouraging the poor and destitute on the Leicester streets. They would give presentations to international nurses and support nurses. They would also go into schools in Reading for Dogs schemes and visit young offenders. Sister Mary John and Molly also went into the Universities in Leicester to support students before exams.
The work for both dogs included attending the university's courses for nurses' education several times a year. Both dogs also visited nursing and care homes throughout their lives. The commitment was 24/7, and they would be called into establishments that needed end-of-life care visits.
With Molly, Sr John received a long service volunteering award with the Leicester Partnership trust, having worked with her dogs for over 20 years. Sadly, Molly died suddenly on the feast of the Epiphany 2026. She was only seven. She had accompanied Sr Mary John in many visits to people in need and brought much joy, sometimes bringing out a response in patients who were ‘locked in’ by a stroke, and being a source of comfort to many very ill people.
Tributes came from people in New Zealand, the Philippines, Wales, Scotland, and from nearby in Leicester, all of whom had been touched by Molly and her work. She is and will always be affectionately remembered, Sister and Molly were nominated for a national award for voluntary achievement re Mental Health because of their work together, this came just after Molly’s death.
The Apostolate will continue with Freddie a Blenheim Cavalier. He socialising well, within church groups, and helping a couple of patients overcome trauma in their lives. Freddie is giving support to a person who is finding going blind hard. Sr Mary John takes him to basic puppy training. He has finished his first course. The trainers loved him, and saw his potential. He will now undergo further training. Sr Mary John will be teaching him what he has to learn for his P.A.T dog formation leading to his P.A.T dog exam. He still has to wait until he is ‘of age’, but he has already got an unofficial fan club within the Parishas well as local shops!
