HOSPITAL chiefs are hoping animal magic will work wonders for patients.

A ground-breaking scheme, which has been praised by independent health inspectors, is helping people on the road to recovery by reuniting them with their pets while still in their hospital beds.

One of the canine stars of the project is Sophie the spaniel, who is proving to be the perfect tonic for Parkinson's Disease sufferer Micola Ilchyszyn.

The Bolton pensioner is getting just what the doctor ordered -- a daily hospital visit from his four-legged friend.

It is all part of a policy by the Royal Bolton Hospital to speed up recovery and rehabilitation of patients.

The hospital's pet friendly attitude, which is one of only a handful around the country, has been praised by Government inspectors for treating patients in a "dignified and humane manner".

Cats, dogs and even budgies are playing a vital role in speeding up recovery times with elderly patients in Bolton.

The animals are not allowed on medical or surgery wards due to infection problems.

But they are now allowed to see long-term patients in areas where they are being prepared to go home.

Mr Ilchyszyn, aged 78, is being nursed in L2 Ward at the Minerva Road hospital after being admitted in August with Parkinson's Disease.

His wife, Agnes, aged 77, walks to hospital each day from her home in Winifred Avenue, Farnworth, with 13-year-old Sophie.

Mrs Ilchyszyn said: "Sophie now knows her own way there and she dashes off down the corridor when we get to the hospital.

"Once she is in the ward, she is on a lead and is very well behaved.

"Once she did disappear, and I found her at the bottom of the ward making friends with other patients.

"She is very popular with patients and the nurses, who all rush to stroke her. I think it is a great idea. I know that Micola knows she is there, even though on some days he is too ill to stroke her.

"It is nice to see something familiar when you are away from home for so long. I am sure its helping him to recover faster."

New research shows that pets are helping cancer patients to recover and some experts are hailing pet therapy as succeeding where other therapies may have failed.

Medical researchers are now studying the bond between humans and animals and the way that this bond helps medical recovery.

Staff nurse Pam Cutter said: "Mr Ilchyszyn told us that he was missing his dog, so we encouraged his wife to bring her in.

"We have had a cat in this morning visiting another patient on the ward and someone has even brought in a budgie!

"I can understand the research being done about pets helping recovery. I have seen patients who have had a stroke and don't normally respond, reach out and pat a dog.

"The patients come out of themselves a little. It gives them an added incentive."