therapy dogs

Sar with the Guitar and Elsie the Star!

Spread a Smile’s entertainers bring joy, laughter and connection to seriously ill children and young people through music, magic, storytelling, art and therapy dogs. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our longest-serving entertainers, Sar, and her four-legged companion, Elsie.

Sar joined Spread a Smile in 2013, just six months after the charity was founded, and has been helping to spread smiles ever since.

Reflecting on her early days with the charity, Sar said: “I joined Spread a Smile in 2013, 6 months after the charity first started. It’s been incredible to see how much the charity has grown since those early days and witness first-hand the impact it has made on thousands of seriously ill children and their families over the years.”

Using music to connect with children and families has always been at the heart of Sar’s work.

“I loved the idea of using my skills playing the guitar and singing nursery rhymes to support children and families during incredibly difficult times – creating moments of joy, laughter, and normality for young people in hospital.”

Music has played an important role throughout Sar’s life. Growing up in a musical family, with both parents playing the piano, she learnt to play the guitar from the age of 12 and developed a passion for singing and amateur dramatics. Following the birth of her first child in 1997, Sar and her twin sister founded Little Stars, a music group for babies and toddlers, which they ran for 16 years.

Over the past 12 years, Sar has seen Spread a Smile grow from supporting children at one hospital to reaching thousands of children and families across the country.

“When I first joined the charity, we were only entertaining in Great Ormond Street Hospital, but even then, the heart and purpose behind the work were very clear. Over the past 12 years I have seen SAS expand into another 38 hospitals and 6 hospices, offering a wider range of services and events to the children and families we support. What has never changed is the importance of connection. A visit from the entertainers can completely change the atmosphere of a hospital room creating magical moments and memories.”

Throughout her visits, Sar has witnessed first-hand the difference that entertainment can make during difficult times.

“There have been so many memorable moments over the years. One of the most special things is seeing a child who is withdrawn and anxious suddenly light up through music, bubbles, and interaction.

I have met many families who were going through incredibly difficult times and hearing them say that a visit gave them a moment of relief, or that they haven’t seen their child smile or laugh in weeks is something I never forget.”

For Sar, the relationships built along the way are one of the most rewarding parts of being a Spread a Smile entertainer and when asked what she enjoys most about being part of Spread a Smile she says: “The people, without question. I love building connections with children, families, hospital staff and of course the other entertainers. It is incredibly rewarding to know that something as simple as music and conversation can make someone’s day a little brighter.”

Meet Elsie

Alongside her guitar, Sar is now joined by Elsie, a Maltipoo therapy dog who is already helping to spread smiles on hospital visits.

Elsie loves chicken and treats, going for walks, sleeping, spending time with her best friend Bamba and climbing onto Sar for cuddles first thing in the morning. Although Sar originally wanted to call her CeCe, her family had other ideas and Elsie now answers to a variety of nicknames including Elsielee, Else, Neesha and Snooies.

“After seeing the other gorgeous Spread a Smile therapy dogs in action, I knew Elsie would be a perfect fit for the job. Elsie has a naturally calm, gentle temperament. She is affectionate, patient, sociable and very responsive to people’s emotions. Becoming a therapy dog felt like a wonderful way for her to bring comfort and happiness to others.”

To become a therapy dog, Elsie completed a series of assessments designed to test her temperament and suitability for hospital environments.

“Elsie began her journey to becoming a pet therapy dog with an assessment in the park, where we met with a representative who asked a series of questions about her temperament and behaviour. After observing her and discussing her personality she successfully passed the assessment.

The next stage of her training took place at GOSH where she was assessed again. I walked Elsie around a ward so she could experience the hospital environment, meet patients and families. Elsie remained calm, friendly, and confident throughout, demonstrating the qualities needed to provide comfort to those in hospital.”

Together, Sar and Elsie are helping to create moments of comfort, connection and joy for children and families when they need them most.

A huge thank you to Sar and Elsie for helping us spread smiles to seriously ill children across the country.

Find out more about the Spread a Smile Appeal and become a Champion to help us spread even more smiles.