June wants to "help make their days a little brighter"

June Tilson volunteers at Therapy Dogs Nationwide taking her adorable pedigree pet schnauzer Albert into hospitals, hospices, care homes and community organisations to lift the spirits of vulnerable people.

Adorable Albert (Image: June Tilston)According to her grandson, Ian Tilston, who is being cared for at Pendine Park's Penybryn care home, Wrexham, June is a super 'gran' and inspires him daily.

Ian, 35, sustained life-changing injuries as a result of a tragic car accident in January 2022 when a horse crashed into his vehicle.

Ian's life completely changed after his car crash (Image: Family photos)As well as losing his sight, Ian suffered two cardiac arrests, major brain trauma and a punctured lung when he was crushed inside the car.

A team of highly skilled surgeons at Salford Road hospital had to remove part of his skull and rebuild his face it was so severely damaged but they could not save his sight and the nerve trauma was so bad that he can no longer walk.

According to his gran June, the whole family is heartbroken but Ian has shown huge resources of strength in his fight to recover. 

June and the rest of Ian's family are currently raising crucial funds to develop their home and bring Ian home where he can be cared for comfortably and in a familiar environment.

In the meantime, June and her fury friend Albert visit Ian on a weekly basis. She said: "Albert is so gentle with him and they are great pals."

Ian said: "June and Albert work so great together. I know all the residents here appreciate their visits. Albert is a real character and a good communicator."

June, a life long dog lover he had always wanted to be a Therapy Dogs volunteer but it wasn’t until she got Albert that she had a dog with the right temperament.

READ MORE

• Injured walker, 80, forced to make own way to hospital after four hour ambulance wait
• Wrexham resident inspired by young daughter to create spooky garden spectacle
• Wrexham Legends to play charity match in honour of S4C presenter's daughter

She continues: "People just love him and he behaves so well with anyone who is especially vulnerable.

"As soon as we put his official yellow therapy dogs lead and scarf on him he seems to just know instinctively how to behave.

“For many of the patients, their lives have changed beyond imagination. If Albert and I can help make their days a little brighter then it’s worth every minute of our time.”

"I already had Albert before Ian's accident so they are old friends and they just love each other."