At home in Isabella Plains, Monique has two dogs Rocky and Zoe. She's been missing them during her stay, but the energetic Oscar bouncing up on to her bed makes her laugh. ''He feels a bit like a teddy bear,'' she said.

Nurse manager for paediatrics Donna Cleary said the smiles on the children's faces said it all.

''It has been proven that children recover more quickly from illness and surgery and the visits have a calming effect, lifting the mood of not only the children and their families, but also the staff - and [they] provoke laughter and therefore decrease stress levels for all,'' Ms Cleary said. ''Nurses and doctors are required to ask something of the child, whether that be a question or taking vital signs or carrying out a procedure. Oscar asks absolutely nothing of them and, in fact, he provides joy, comfort and a brief respite from the stress of hospitalisation.''

Delta Therapy Dogs' Andrew Braddock said Oscar went through six months of training before being certified as suitable to work at the Canberra Hospital. ''He did companion training and got through to gold level, and at Delta we test in terms of training and temperament just to make sure they can handle the hospital and being handled by lots of people,'' Mr Braddock said.

''He also had pathology testing to make sure he's safe to bring in and, lastly, he has to have a bath just before he comes in each week. He's the cleanest dog in Canberra.''

Walking down the corridors of the hospital with the pooch is a slow process as just about everyone stops to pat the strutting canine with a stylish bandanna.

''A lot of the kids love him, especially the ones who are here for longer,'' Mr Braddock said.

''He definitely has a fan club here in the hospital.''

Oscar takes the attention as his due, greeting each new patient like a long-lost owner.

''He is a people dog. He thinks he's a person, not a dog,'' Mr Braddock said.