Supertram welcomes therapy dog Nya

Supertram was delighted to welcome Nya, the first dog in the UK to be registered with a train operating company, to Sheffield on Friday 2 October, ahead of World Animal Day on Sunday 4 October.

Steve O’Callaghan with therapy dog Nya alongside Supertram colleagues — Pictured: Steve and Nya with Supertram colleagues.

Seven-year-old German Shepherd Nya, alongside her owner Steve O’Callaghan, visited Supertram to promote the positive role animals can play in supporting wellbeing and creating more welcoming travel environments.

Therapy dog Nya meeting people during her visit to Supertram

Nya meeting Supertram colleagues and passengers

Nya is officially registered with Pets As Therapy and regularly visits stations and meets passengers and colleagues across the rail network. Her calm nature and friendly presence can help people feel more relaxed, reduce stress and anxiety, and encourage positive social interaction.

During her visit, Nya met Supertram colleagues as well as passengers, with plenty of people stopping to say hello, give her a fuss and spend some time with her. Her visit provided a simple opportunity for people to pause, connect and enjoy a positive moment during their journey.

Steve O’Callaghan with Nya at the Supertram depot — Pictured: Steve and Nya at Supertram depot.

Steve, who is from Sheffield, is the Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Lead at TransPennine Express and has championed Nya’s role in supporting passenger and colleague wellbeing across the railway.

The visit also provided an opportunity to strengthen the connection between heavy rail and light rail colleagues, sharing ideas and experiences around wellbeing, safeguarding and creating a more positive experience for people using public transport.

What Steve said

“I registered Nya as a Therapy Dog with Pets As Therapy, the UK’s largest organisation of its kind, because I wanted to combine my passion for dogs with my experience in safeguarding.

“Nya comes with me on trains and to stations, where she meets passengers and colleagues and puts a smile on people’s faces. She can help people who may be nervous or experiencing a difficult time, creating a positive environment and helping them feel more confident when travelling.

“On one occasion, a passenger who was having a particularly bad day thanked me and told me that Nya had helped break the cycle of negative thoughts they were experiencing. That moment inspired me to develop the initiative into what it is today.

“The opportunity to bring together my work with TransPennine Express in heavy rail with Supertram and light rail is a fantastic collaboration. I’m really pleased to have been able to visit the Supertram network, meet colleagues and passengers, and share the positive impact Nya can have.”

What Supertram colleagues said

David Tingle, Network Manager at Supertram

“It’s been like a breath of fresh air having Nya visit Supertram. She’s lifted everyone’s mood and it’s been fantastic to see the positive impact she’s had.”

David Price, Network Manager at Supertram

“Dogs can have such a positive impact on our mental wellbeing, and as a dog owner myself, it’s been fantastic to meet Nya and see the difference she can make.”

Jewel Thomas, Resource Assistant at Supertram

“Over the last couple of weeks, I was feeling a little bit down, so having Nya visit really cheered me up and motivated me in a professional environment. Nya is clearly very well trained and seems to pick up on how people are feeling.”

David Tingle, Steve O’Callaghan, Nya and David Price at Supertram — Pictured: David Tingle, Steve O’Callaghan, Nya, and David Price.

Making Supertram welcoming for people and dogs

At Supertram, we’re pleased to support initiatives that promote wellbeing and help make public transport a more welcoming place for everyone.

The visit also highlighted our commitment to making Supertram a welcoming place for dogs and their owners. Well-behaved dogs can travel onboard for free, following our consultation and trial.

Find out more about travelling with dogs on Supertram.

We also work with Support Dogs, whose dogs use Supertram as part of their training to travel safely and confidently on public transport.

Find out more about our work with Support Dogs.

Nya's visit to Supertram

Nya was also treated to plenty of dog treats, kindly provided by Sheffield Cathedral’s 1554 Coffee & Gift Shop, which welcomes dogs.

Passengers and colleagues could also learn more about Nya’s journey through information booklets, helping make her visit an enjoyable experience for everyone.