Patients at Mater Dei will soon be able to reunite with their dogs as a pet visitation cabin will be built on hospital grounds in the coming months.

A sum of €13,000 is needed to build the cabin, which was the brain child of Sarah Cachia, Jacob Cachia’s mother, who three years ago battled a rare brain infection. After a number of life-threatening surgeries, the teenager had one request, that of being reunited with his dog Peanut.

“Three years ago, there was no way Jacob could be reunited with the dog. We had to take him outside, in the cold, on a wheelchair, to spend some time with Peanut,” Ms Cachia said.

The cabin, which will be built in one of the hospital’s courtyards, will allow patients who are given the go-ahead by their doctors, to bring their dogs for a visit. Plans for sessions with therapeutic dogs are also in the pipeline, Ms Cachia said.

Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said the pet cabin, which will have its own entrance, will be equipped with all the necessary tools to ensure infection control. Those bringing their dogs to the cabin must also provide vet’s certificate which prove the animal has been given all the necessary vaccines.

Mr Fearne said while there were never plans to have such a cabin at the hospital, the government would be supporting the initiative, promising to double the final amount collected.

Anyone interested can support the Reunited Pet Cabin by visiting here, bank transfer (IBAN MT35MMEB44118000000011076692052; beneficiary JCI Malta) or sending a cheque to JCI Malta, c/o Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta.