Yang the hospital cat is pictured with his owner Glynis at a ceremony to recognise his service to … [+]
A town in the north of England held an unusual ceremony this weekend.
Councillors in Hexham, Northumberland, awarded a cat the a key to the town, a “Freedom to Roam” certificate, and a bag of cat treats.
The honor, and the Dreamies, were intended to recognise the ginger feline’s years of service to patients at the town’s local hospital.
Yang Bell, 13, has been walking from his home to nearby Hexham General Hospital every day for more four than years. On-site, the now-official mascot greets patients, allowing them to pet him for comfort.
A nurse gives Yang a key to the town on a ribbon.
While the award might sound like something from television show Parks and Recreation, locals say the cat’s calming presence has been a real comfort to patients at the hospital.
Nurse Jane Ferguson told the BBC: “When patients come in to the hospital site, they’re really anxious and worried. They might feel extremely vulnerable. And Yang just brings a sense of calm and peacefulness to everybody that he meets.
Councilor Suzanne Fairness-Aitken added: “Everyone who wants his attention gets his attention. He’s made people feel happy over the years. Whether it’s mental health issues, or families going to visit patients — he’s there.”
Alison Smith, from Hexham Town Council West End called the cat “a lovely little character in the town.”
“He is so well known. So well-loved,” she said. “We wanted to give him a bit of recognition and acknowledge what he does.”
Yang’s owner, Glynis Bell, told the Newcastle Chronicle that the ceremony came as something of a surprise. “I knew nothing about [the award] until I got a phone call from the council saying they’d like to present him with a plaque and a key to the town,” she said, adding that the furry visitor hadn’t always been a hit at the hospital.
But his persistence eventually paid off.
“It’s so nice to see him getting the recognition that he didn’t have at the beginning, people didn’t want him around the hospital. Now, not just the hospital recognises him but the council as well.”
In a social media post, town councillors wrote: “He welcomes visitors to the hospital every day and seems to know who needs a little of Yang’s special attention.”
“We are delighted to have been able to present him with this civic honour,” the post continued. “You are definitely our Top Cat Yang!”
It’s not the first time he has been recognised for his services. Last year, animal charity PDSA gave Yang a commendation for his efforts to support the community.
Hospital cat Yang Bell is pictured wearing a custom National Health Service-branded bandana.
At the time, Rebecca Buckingham of the PDSA said the charity was “delighted” to have been able to recognise “the exceptional work that Yang has carried out in support of his local community.”
The cat offers “a ray of sunshine in the darkest hours for many people,” she said, thanking him for providing “much-needed comfort to patients, visitors, and employees at Hexham General Hospital almost every day,” adding that “his efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic were greatly appreciated by those he met.”
She said the cat is “a very deserving winner” of the organisation’s commendation: an award that celebrates “the unparalleled devotion and enrichment that animals bring to our lives.”