Kate Middleton and Prince William Surprise Healthcare Workers — and Meet a Cockapoo Therapy Puppy!
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo Kate Middleton and Prince William
Kate Middleton and Prince William are championing the mental health of healthcare workers.
The royal couple traveled to rural Lancashire in the northwest of England on Thursday to check in on health staff members who have faced unique challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.
William and Kate met with doctors, nurses and other health workers at Clitheroe Community Hospital. The couple was particularly interested to hear how NHS Charities Together, which the couple has promoted through the last two years, has supported hospitals and their staff over the past two years.
They were also introduced to the latest aid for overworked healthcare workers — a cockapoo puppy named Alfie who will be trained as a therapy dog to support patients and workers at the hospital. Kate and William were right at home with the adorable puppy. They adopted a new black cocker spaniel into their family last year after the death of their beloved dog Lupo.
As they took turns holding and petting Alfie, Kate said with a laugh, "Our dog is going to be very upset. She's going to be like, 'Where have you been?' "
After their visit with the puppy, they shared a playful tweet, asking people to weigh in on who they thought Alfie preferred: William or Kate!
Who do you think Alfie, the therapy dog preferred?
👈👉 pic.twitter.com/7ESR8JNYq2— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) January 20, 2022
The addition of Alfie is one way that NHS Charities Together has been crucial in helping support the mental wellbeing of their staffers.
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo Kate Middleton and Prince William
The charity has donated more than $410,000 to help set up wellbeing services for the 9,000 staff across East Lancashire Hospitals Trust — and has funded the arrival of the therapy dog.
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo Kate Middleton and Prince William
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo Prince William and Kate Middleton
William and Kate also spent time talking to patients about how they've been coping throughout the pandemic and heard about the successful vaccination efforts.
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo Prince William and Kate Middleton
Their visit to Lancashire marks their second outing of the week. On Wednesday, they visited the Foundling Museum in London to hear about work being done for children who have lived in care.
