By Pauline Murphy

In 1890, the master of Dunmanway Post Office John Wagner gifted a St Bernard puppy called Leo to his niece Miss Tolerton, a nurse in Cork City’s South Infirmary Hospital.
The docile nature of the dog gave Miss Tolerton an idea. She approached the Superintendent Matron, Miss Baxter, with an idea that Leo could serve as a hospital mascot.

Leo lived all his life in the hospital where his presence brought light relief in what was often a grim environment. He wandered the hallways and lazed about the grounds where he enjoyed attention from patients and staff.
Miss Baxter and her nurses considered Leo much more than just a mascot, he could not only draw affection but also financial aid.

An alpine barrell was made for Leo and attached to his collar to serve as a collection box. He became a familiar fixture on the streets of Cork where he collected money for the hospital.

The St Bernard became well known to the Cork public who saw him at sporting and social events in the city. From concerts at the Opera House to regattas on the River Lee, Leo was always there with his handler collecting much needed funds for the hospital.

On one occasion Leo wandered away from his handler and went into a pub where the barman filled his barrel with beer. The so-called joke did not go down well with the public and the disgraced barman was a forced to give a donation to the hospital and an apology to the dog!

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