Graham Cornwell, Security Manager at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), has worked at Ridgeway Hospital in Middlesbrough for 22 years.
Committed to maintaining patient dignity and rights while helping to reduce the presence of unauthorised drugs within hospital settings, Graham established the trust’s Detection Dog Service. The service supports staff to identify illegal substances more effectively while ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect.
To bring this initiative to life, Graham developed a partnership with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service Dog Section and welcomed Toby, a black Labrador, to the team. With his calm temperament and friendly nature, Toby has played a key role in enhancing safety across Ridgeway Hospital and wider Trust services.
Three years ago, Graham began training Toby as Ridgeway Hospital’s first drug detection dog. The training included scent recognition, vehicle searches and obedience work. Having become familiar with the sights and sounds of working within both the hospital and trust environment, Toby has become a valued member of the team and is well received by patients and staff alike.
Recognising the importance of planning for Toby’s eventual retirement, Graham connected with the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals. The UK-based charity provides financial support towards veterinary and medical costs for retired service animals from emergency and government services, helping to bridge the gap when service funding ends following retirement.
The charity is entirely supporter-funded and has awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants to retired service animals across the UK. Inspired by the charity’s work, Graham began exploring opportunities for future collaboration focused on retirement planning and ongoing welfare support for service dogs.
Alongside Toby, Graham also handles Hutton, a black Cocker Spaniel who is now 10 months old. Hutton passed his initial course at just nine months old, making him one of the youngest dogs to achieve this milestone.
Speaking about Hutton, Graham said: “He’s very energetic and cheeky, and we’ve built a really close bond. He follows me everywhere I go at home.”
Both Toby and Hutton thrive on a structured routine, beginning their day at 4.30am.
Following his successful training, Hutton has now joined Toby in the Search Team, which will soon be expanded to support services across the Trust.
Today, Graham proudly serves as the first NHS Ambassador for the NFRSA, continuing to champion the welfare of service animals while promoting safety within mental health services.
Suzanne Steel, operations manager at NFRSA said, “We are enormously proud to have Graham as an NHS Service Ambassador for the (NFRSA). Graham absolutely embodies our values and shares our firm belief that service animals should be supported to have the retirement they deserve, without financial hardship. We are honoured to have Graham as part of the NFRSA family and look forward to many years of working together to achieve our mission to ‘Protect Our Protectors’. We will of course also be waiting in the wings to offer support when his own detection dogs Toby and Hutton retire!”
Looking ahead, Graham hopes to see the Detection Dog Service expand from secure inpatient services across the wider Trust, supporting clinical teams to reduce the presence of illegal substances within hospital environments.
He is also passionate about raising awareness of the role detection dogs can play within healthcare.
Graham said: “Many people are unaware of the valuable work NHS detection dogs carry out. Their skills can help us create safer environments while supporting our ongoing efforts to reduce restrictive practices within hospitals.”
To find out more about the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals or to make a donation, visit the NFRSA website.
