St Annes boy, 11, working with The Christie therapy dogs as part of treatment for brain tumour

An 11-year-old boy from St Annes is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour and working with therapy dogs as part of his recovery.

Dominic Barrow, who lives in St Annes, is currently receiving treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and has been featured in The Christie’s latest Impact Report, highlighting the difference supporter-funded services can make to young cancer patients and their families.

His story appears alongside those of patients, researchers and staff members in the charity’s annual report, which showcases the life-changing projects, pioneering research and enhanced patient services made possible through charitable donations.

A key part of Dominic’s experience has been the therapy dog service available at The Christie’s proton beam therapy centre. The service, funded by Christie Charity supporters, brings specially trained therapy dogs into the hospital to help reduce anxiety, provide comfort and make treatment less overwhelming for children and young people.

Dominic and his mother, Helen, feature in a case study alongside Health Play Specialist Therese Smith, who has worked at The Christie for more than a decade. The report details how therapy dogs Lilo and Luna have had a positive impact on Dominic’s cancer journey, providing support and helping to lift his spirits during an incredibly difficult time.

The therapy dog sessions are delivered by Health Play Specialists such as Therese alongside trained handlers. The service has become a much-loved part of the patient experience, with demand continuing to grow among both patients and staff. Funding from supporters is now helping the programme expand so that even more young people can benefit.

The Impact Report also highlights how patients at The Christie benefit from world-leading treatment and care, innovative clinical research and additional support services that go beyond what NHS funding provides.

Looking to the future, the report outlines plans for a new state-of-the-art scanning centre, a new pathology centre and further investment in advanced imaging technology, including a Total Body PET-CT scanner that will be among the most advanced in the country.

The charity has also reaffirmed its commitment to investing £30m in cancer research by 2030, helping researchers accelerate discoveries, develop new clinical trials and bring future treatments to patients sooner.