Hundreds of heart felt tributes have been sent after a therapy dog has passed away.

Katie was a 15 year old chocolate Labrador, who visited patients across Medway Maritime Hospital.

She was a rescue dog and abused by her previous owners, leaving her nervous and malnourished.

But in 2003 she was adopted by couple Bob and Janet Clarke and soon started helping patients in the mental health ward.

Mrs Clarke said: "Katie was most famous for getting a three year old stroke victim to walk again."

"We brought Katie in and the little girl wanted to pet her, so it motivated her to walk over."

Katie was recognised for her work by multiple organisations including commendation from PDSA, The Kennel Club and 10 years long service award from the hospital.

Mr Clarke said: "I took Katie for her final walk last Tuesday, she only got 300 yards along and then she just lay down."

"By Sunday she was not eating anything and we took her to Newham vets on Monday and they were great.
"We want everyone to know she was never in any pain, she had dignity and her quality of life came first."

The Clarke's who run the KC Therapy Dogs Facebook and Twitter accounts have been inundated with messages from the public.

Mr Clarke said: "We can't believe what's happened on Facebook and Twitter, we've had 32 and a half thousand views on our posts."

"Somebody even wrote a poem, it was heartbreaking.

"She's touched the hearts of so many people."

Chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Lesley Dwyer, said: “Over the last ten years Katie brought a smile to our staff and our patients across the hospital.

"Patient and sweet-natured, she was a particular source of comfort to our younger patients, helping to calm their worries when they came to us for treatment.

"She got a warm welcome in every ward and every department.

"She will be greatly missed.”

The couple plan to continue visiting patients second therapy dog Cookie, who is also a chocolate Labrador.

All the work is self funded, profits go to Medway Maritime Hospital and is done in memory of the Clarke's son who died of cancer 15 years ago.