Artist says thank you to NHS staff member with pet potrait

Jo Tonner- Middleton sent out a national request for dog owners to send pictures of their pets and she would choose one for a free portrait as a thank you.

She said: “With so much happening around the world, it’s lovely to see what people do for each other is coming to the forefront.

“There has been a shift to the community and how we can help each other. A respect that was lost before, and people taking time out of their day to support or help each other and NHS and care workers are on the frontline, risking their own lives, coming into contact on a daily basis with the virus, when others have all been told to stay at home.

“Risking their families and their own health to put others first. I wanted to show my appreciation to them and make them feel feel proud of what they are doing. To highlight their efforts that may otherwise be ignored or taken for granted.”

More than 100 people contacted Jo through Facebook and Messenger. She narrowed it down to a final six and then chose a dog that had the most character in its face.

She said the reason she picked dogs is that they have so much personality and so much emotion comes out of their eyes and expressions.

“It is great to be able to capture it in a portrait with pastel. Plus everyone loves their dog, especially me, I have Jack Russells.”

The winner was a nursing support worker, working for the NHS in a hospital called Cefn Coed.

Jo said: “The patients she was looking after are Covid-19 confirmed dementia patients.

“She had been working with the NHS for 18 years and she herself had been tested positive for the coronavirus the previous week, but she was on the mend.

“I really felt for her and her family and the photos she sent through of her dog, he looked so proud and loved by them.

“They actually sent me about 40 photos of the dog, and I could tell he was such a part of their family and made each day coming home from work slightly easier, when he was there to welcome her. The family were overwhelmed by the gesture.

“I also had my framer from Studio 5 framers in Chichester offer to frame it for free, Lollipop Printers also offered a free service of printing their photo for them as a gesture and now I am able to get it to Swansea, which is where they live, through another Chichester based company offering to deliver it to them.

“It’s been wonderful how everyone has pulled together to make this possible. These are the good things to come out of these difficult times.”

You can view Jos' work on Facebook

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