• Watch over 18,000 dogs competing for the coveted Crufts Best in Show title.
• Competitions, including Agility, Flyball, Freestyle Heelwork to Music, and more
• The Good Citizen Dog Scheme Training Ring, the UK's largest dog training programme, offering expert advice and demonstrations.
• The Dog Activities Ring where you can learn how to unleash your dog’s potential!
• Over 500 trade stands featuring exclusive show offers, new products, and everything you need for you and your dog—from grooming tools to accessories, treats, toys and more!
• Discover Dogs: The perfect place for any dog lover! Explore over 200 different breeds, meet and pet dogs of all shapes, sizes, and personalities.

This was born from my loss of my boy “Logan”. He was a massive part of my life and my success. At 16 years of age, he had been with me through my most formative years and influenced much of my work. Indeed, he can be found throughout this website and much of my social media.

In super brief, this book is where I share my journey of love and loss. I share my history and how Logan and I grew our strong bond. I share my pregrief/anticipatory grief, worry and anxiety about what might happen and when. I finally share those final days, how it looked and felt, and the days and weeks that followed. I end this book with a list of suggestions so you can feel prepared for your best goodbye, and how to find support when you need it most.

I have done this because I know that I am not alone in my grief. I know many of us still feel loss and sadness years after they leave us. Whilst most of his memory makes me smile, I can still shed a tear when the moment takes me, even years after he has gone. This is ok, this is normal, this is LOVE.

https://animalphysiotherapy.org.uk/

https://animalphysiotherapy.org.uk/the-best-goodbye/

Stand Number:  Hall 5 Stand 65, 6-9 March 2025

 Award-winning The Dog-G8 Company from Horsham who appeared on BBC One’s Dragon’s Den in 2023, will be showcasing, at Crufts their range of highly versatile, concertina gates that aid dog owners with training, prevent dogs from escaping, and reduce the potential risk 

Crufts is a celebration of all dogs – and we’re delighted that once again Pets As Therapy will be attending the event at Birmingham NEC from 6-9 March.

Please come along and say hello to us. We’ll be in Hall 4 at Stand 160.

We're also proud to say that PAT Team Emily & Tilly are finalists in The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. This wonderful volunteering duo have been entered under the category 'Rescue Dog Hero' . Tilly, a Chihuahua cross Terrier was found abandoned with her siblings in a plastic washing basket on a roundabout at only 4 weeks old, all exhibited horrific signs of neglect and their chances of survival were pretty bleak. Having been rescued and given the vital care and treatment required to give them best chance at life, Tilly was subsequently fostered by Emily who says "as soon as she came in through the door, I knew this was going to be her home for the rest of her life".

Tilly has now passed her Bronze and Silver Good Citizen Scheme award and working towards her Gold. At 9 months old Tilly was registered with Pets As Therapy and now visit a residential care home and college. In addition to her visiting, Tilly provides a great deal of support and comfort to Emily who underwent spinal surgery and suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. Tilly is learning to alert Emily about her medical conditions, often helping through behaviour interruption, providing the confidence Emily needs to be able to go about her day to day activities.

"It's such a privilege to be a finalist for this award and it's exciting to be going to Crufts," smiles Emily. "I'm so proud of Tilly for what she has accomplished already despite her poor start in life. She is such an amazing little dog and loves her work with Pets As Therapy. She shows that rescue dogs can bring so much joy to so many people."

The smoothie drinks were created by a former technical manager to the food industry with over 20 years’ experience, Louise Toal  after her Beagle, Phoebe at the age of 18 months became unwell with bladder problems which after investigations with her vet, were linked to the dog’s food. Using her technical background, Louise then started experimenting with protein shakes to help flush out Phoebe’s system and to provide her with the hydration that she needed when she was refusing to drink enough water in the summer months. This led to the creation of the Furr Boost range of smoothies.

Each of Furr Boost’s recipes contains a meat, fruit and vegetable, along with added oils and vitamins, so it’s more than a hydration drink, it supports the dog’s wellbeing in areas such as digestion, skin and coat, anxiety, metabolism and immunity.

Furr Boost can be used in a variety of ways. Served frozen, it can be placed in a Kong Toy or lick mat for dog training or as a distraction, or simply given to a dog as a tasty icy treat. Unfrozen, it can be added as a topper to meals or on hot days, simply pour into a bowl for instant hydration. If you add squirty xilitol-free cream, Furr Boost also makes tasty Puppuccino drinks as well. 

www.furrboost.com 

She may be small in size, but Rachel's furry friend has already made a big impact in the dog show world and the 16-month-old pup recently appeared as Bruiser Woods in a performance of Hollywood flick Legally Blonde at Stourbridge Town Hall in September.

The charity has found that therapeutic sessions with a PAT Dog can shift a person’s outlook. Some prisoners have struggled in their informative years or come from broken families and not experienced love in their life. Others have violent pasts. PAT Dogs seem to help prisoners explore new ways of expressing and processing their emotions. The four-legged friends provide a sense of connection to the ‘outside world’, and staff at prisons have noted significant improvements in the overall mental health of prisoners.

https://petsastherapy.org/

·       One of Britain’s most iconic breeds could be at risk of extinction as its numbers tumble to historic lows

·       Meanwhile it’s bad news for many other British breeds, with more declared vulnerable than ever before

·       Organisers hope that Crufts will raise the profile of ‘disappearing dogs’ and urges puppy buyers to consider all 222 breeds to find the right one for them

The Rough Collie, one of Britain’s most recognisable breeds, faces an uncertain future following a steep decline in the breed’s popularity to record their lowest numbers in over 75 years.  The breed is now close to being classed as ‘at risk’ by The Kennel Club, which monitors breeds with declining numbers in the UK. 

The breed is best known for the iconic titular role of Lassie, which began as a novel in the 1940s, and led to a raft of eponymous films, television series, radio programs, animation and comic books. The character is also one of very few animals to have been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

At the height of the breed’s popularity in 1979, four years after the long-running television series had ended, there were over 8,000 annual puppy registrations, placing them in the top 10 breeds in the UK. However it was a very different story last year, with less than 500 Rough Collie puppies births, a 25 per cent decrease since 2021, and a steep 94 per cent decline since their heyday. 

This is the lowest recorded number for the breed since the 1940s, and if the decline continues, they will be placed on The Kennel Club’s ‘At Watch’ list, which monitors breeds with between 300-450 puppy registrations a year. Those with less than 300 puppy births annually are recorded on the organisation’s Vulnerable Native Breed list – devised to highlight those British and Irish native breeds which could be at risk of disappearing from our streets and parks.

Carole Smedley,Chairperson of the Rough Collie Breed Council who has owned the breed for over 50 years,said: “We are very concerned to see this wonderful and majestic breed fall in popularity. I’ve spent my life surrounded by Rough Collies who have enjoyed long, healthy lives and I can confirm their friendly, happy temperament,  but each year their popularity is decreasing. Of course, no breed will suit everyone, but for the right owner, who can provide the right space and environment, they have so much love to give and they adore children. 

“It is such a shame that some of our most native historic and recognisable breeds are continuing to drop in popularity, and we hope that more people will become aware of the range of breeds out there and responsibly select the right one for them.” 

In 2022, there were more vulnerable breeds recorded than ever before, as both the shaggy-coated Bearded Collie and the distinctive Miniature Bull Terrier were placed on the list after seeing their numbers tumble, while the Bedlington Terrier, Bullmastiff, Irish Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, and Parson Russell Terrier were added to the ‘At Watch List’. There are now 34 vulnerable native breeds, and a further eight classed as ‘At Watch’.  

It is a similarly worrying outlook for a number of other previously popular British breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier, once the number one breed in the UK during the 1970s but has since seen its popularity wane, recording just 495 puppy births last year. The Kennel Club’s campaign to Save the Forgotten Breeds aims to remind people about the large number of British and Irish native breeds, particularly those that are seeing a decline in numbers and face a real danger of disappearing altogether. The campaign has previously seen breeds such as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi bounce back from the brink of

A local rescue dog who was passed through multiple homes and deemed ‘naughty and neurotic’, but has gone on to become a life-saving medical detection dog, has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

10-year-old Asher, who has today been named as finalist in the Rescue Dog Hero category of The Kennel Club award, was taken on by the Medical Detection Dogs charity as a rescue, having been rehomed multiple times by the age of three. He was deemed ‘naughty’ and ‘neurotic’,  but it was soon realised he just needed to be busy. Asher happily found a home, and a life-saving job, with Dr Claire Guest, founder of Medical Detection Dogs, which uses the amazing power of the dog’s nose to detect human diseases.  

Asher is now one of the most experienced members of the Bio Detection team at the organisation – which is helping scientists and medics develop faster and cheaper ways to detect diseases – and has played a huge part in helping to prove that dogs can detect the odour of disease and be a fast, accurate and non-invasive method of diagnosis for some of the world's biggest killers, including Parkinson’s disease, malaria and Covid-19.

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

A Springer Spaniel who has spent hundreds of nights camping out with his teenage owner to raise money for rescue dogs and an organisation helping Ukrainian dogs and owners has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

9-year-old Bertie, named as the finalist in the Child’s Champion category of The Kennel Club award, and his 13-year-old owner, Ashley Owens, from Welwyn Garden City, have spent over 650 nights camping out in a tent as part of their ‘sleep out to help out’ fundraising campaign.  

The duo are sleeping under the stars to raise £30,000 to help a volunteer-run charity, Paws2Rescue, who are on the Ukraine border, helping find refuge for pets and owners and providing essential supplies to the sheltering Ukrainians. The charity also provides sanctuary to stray dogs, and are building a site with a play area, shelter and vet clinic where ongoing minor treatments and neutering will be carried out, to reduce the hundreds of thousands of stray dogs sleeping under the stars – just like Ashley is. 

Bertie gives Ashley a reason every night to continue his challenge; at times when Ashley has felt low or wavering, Bertie is there to support him through, and when temperatures dropped to the minus’, he kept Ashley warm. 

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

A Labrador from Swansea who has seen her owners through the hardest times, including supporting the youngest family member who has leukaemia,has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

Two-year-old Beauty the Labrador, named as the finalist in the Best Friends category of The Kennel Club award, has helped her owners after the youngest member of the family, Lily, aged 11, was diagnosed with leukaemia, and her dad, Wayne, suffered worsening epilepsy seizures.  

Beauty is the only member of the family who can make Lily laugh when she is undergoing weekly chemotherapy, or taking steroids which can really impact her mood. And when Wayne’s epilepsy worsened with the pressure and stress of the situation with Lily, Beauty has been able can sense what is happening and barks to alert Wayne and the family before the onset of a seizure. On numerous occasions she has even put herself in the way, to break his fall, which have meant fewer hospital visits for stitches or head injuries, and less stress and worry during what is already a difficult time for the whole family.

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

An assistance dog from Warwickshire who helps his young owner to overcome debilitating pain and isolation has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

Three-year-old Albert, named as the finalist in the Hero Support Dog category of The Kennel Club award, has helped his young owner overcome chronic, debilitating pain – and the isolation of living with an invisible illness – to become a high-flying lawyer, after being matched with her by the charity Dogs for Good. 

24-year-old Jemima has suffered from debilitating health conditions and chronic pain, which cannot be treated with surgery, since she was 16. Rapid and overwhelming changes to her life meant that her dream of going to University was no longer viable and she became isolated from friends who were now living the life she'd hoped to be able to experience herself. She had no independence and her invisible illness made her world feel small. 

Having been matched with Albert by Dogs for Good, a Banbury-based charity who train dogs to help people affected by disability, dementia, autism, and other conditions, has made a huge difference to Jemima’s everyday life, restoring her independence and enabling her to thrive – both professionally and personally. With Albert by her side, Jemima’s professional life is flourishing and she is now training to be a solicitor at a top global law firm, where Albert is the star of the office. 

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake. These heroic teams will be specially recognised at Crufts for their bravery and dedication.  

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

A local retired police dog who has kept the nation safe from criminals – finding weapons, drugs and cash throughout her eight-year long career – has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

9-year-old Stella, named as the finalist in the Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog category of The Kennel Club award, has just retired from Gloucestershire police after serving eight and a half years as a police drugs, cash and firearms recovery dog.  

Despite her sad start to life, as an RSPCA rescue dog, Stella overcame the odds to become the first Staffordshire Bull Terrier Police Dog in the UK in 2014. In her working career, alongside her owner PC Claire Todd, Stella has found weapons and thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash, making her a true canine hero, working to keep the nation safe. Outside of her vital work in with the police bringing criminals to justice, she has also helped people overcome their fear of dogs during school and community talks. 

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

How is it that they feel confident enough to put themselves out there?

And how you can you do the same?

I can help you overcome your fear of being visible by sharing your stories in the media so that you can reach more pet owners and make an impact.

Hi, I’m Rachel Spencer

I’ve been working in the media since 1999, writing stories for local, regional and national newspapers and magazines.

Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs like you to raise their profiles, reach more clients and make more sales.

Approaching the media can be scary but with me by your side, holding your hand through the process, you’ll soon feel like a PR pro.

Hundreds of pet business owners have had media coverage through my book, Publicity Tips for Pet Businesses, my free online Publicity Challenge and 1-1 and group coaching programmes.

There’s no need to spend lots of money on a fancy PR company to get your business in the press.

Instead, use my straight talking advice so you understand what journalists want and how to deliver it.

So, let’s keep it simple. Tell me where you want to be featured and I’ll give you down-to-earth advice on how to make it happen.

https://publicityforpetbusinesses.co.uk/

For Roxy, feeding time is more than simply providing energy, she wants Poppy to enjoy her food, that’s why Roxy used to feed Poppy a raw diet; she was convinced Poppy would love it.

As Roxy became more informed about the possible issuess around raw feeding, she became concerned about the risk of contamination.  Not only for her dog, but for her family as well.

https://www.eukanuba.co.uk/ambassador-poppy

The 2022 finalists include: A special Guide Dog who gave an ex-dairy farmer his life and family back and set him on a path to support others with visual impairments; a rescue dog who was found abandoned and tied up with his littermates who went on to save his owner’s life and help other pets in need; a group of Newfoundlands which provide unique water therapy for suicide prevention and front-line emergency services staff; a Springer Spaniel fire investigation dog who heroically brings justice to victims of arson attacks; and a Golden Retriever who provides love and support to a young girl with cerebral palsy, helping her every day with her pain, anxiety and stress.

The 2022 award ambassador and actress Sally Phillips, who credits her dogs with bringing infinite happiness to her family, will be celebrating the finalists at the launch.

These five four-legged heroes are just some of the dogs being celebrated at Crufts 2022 for the ways that they transform our lives and make a difference for others.

Simba the Springer Spaniel and his handler Anton, from the London Fire Brigade 

Four-year-old Springer Spaniel, Simba, assists his handler Anton in the London Fire Brigade as a Fire Investigation Dog. Simba is a crucial member of this life-saving team because he can very quickly detect a variety of ignitable substances and help determine whether a fire has been started deliberately, ensuring justice for victims of horrific arson crimes.

Last year, Simba helped to bring murderers to justice after finding that accelerants had been used at a fatal fire in London. He indicated multiple points where an accelerant was found and his work at the scene helped with the police investigation. 

Simba also importantly provides great therapy to his two-legged colleagues, bringing a smile to their faces even after the toughest of days. As such trusted team members, Simba and Anton are now mentoring London Fire Brigade’s newest canine recruit, Watson, to help him learn the ropes. 

“Simba loves it,” Anton explains. “He’s brave and fearless - and during the pandemic he’s supported many other fire service teams in desperate times when they were short-staffed. 

“Simba is a hero to us and an integral part of the London Fire Brigade team.”

Newfoundlands Storm, Sonar, Bob and Walker, and owner, Pete

Pete Lewin, from Leicester, runs a non-profit organisation working with his Newfoundland dogs for suicide prevention. This amazing team provides support for staff from front-line emergency services and military veterans, and those struggling with their mental health. With the Covid-19 pandemic, this has never been more important. 

Pete, who himself is a long-standing front-line paramedic for the East Midlands Ambulance Service, has worked with water dogs as a hobby for around 25 years. Both his own experiences and feedback from others about the positive effects of swimming in open water with Newfies, who are natural water rescue dogs, made him realise the potential for a unique experience to support people with mental health needs.

"These dogs really are life-savers,” says Pete. “One guy came to us after he took an overdose. Before swimming with the dogs, he was suicidal, and now he works for the ambulance service. Whatever it is that the dogs have got, it is helping people."

Chewie the rescue dog and his owner, Loretta 

Chewie was found abandoned with his littermates at just 12 weeks old. They were heartbreakingly found half buried in a bag with their paws and mouths taped up. 

Loretta and Ray Whiteley, from Leyland, Lancashire, adopted Chewie and were determined to care for him after his sad start to life. And Chewie fast became a very important family member and helped Ray, who has Multiple Sclerosis, with his confidence. 

In 2018, Loretta was in the garden when she heard Chewie barking frantically. She went inside to find Ray slumped in his chair in respiratory arrest, and Chewie jumping on his chest with all his might. One of the tricks Loretta and Ray taught Chewie early on was to do ‘CPR’ on their other rescue dogs. By the time Loretta got Ray out of his chair, he was in cardiac arrest. Loretta carried out CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Without Chewie, Ray would have died.   

Since his life-saving act, Chewie, alongside Loretta, has helped to raise over £5000 for animal charities and other pets in need. Their fundraising supported a memorial in honour of a puppy buried alive – in a situation much similar to Chewie’s – in Leyland, and nine rescue charities, as well as paying vets bill for an owner whose cat had been attacked, and helping a family who lost everything in a house fire. 

“Chewie will always be my little hero,” says Loretta.   

Golden Retriever Guide Dog and life-changer, Milo, and his owner, Scott

Scott Bailey, from Crewe in Cheshire, started losing his sight in 2019. “I lost all confidence and felt I couldn't be the dad my two girls deserved,” Scott explains. “I was scared and unable to leave the house alone. I went from working outdoors as a dairy farmer, to sitting within four walls, day in, day out.”

Scott applied for a guide dog but sadly, due to Covid-19 the country went into lockdown and his training with Milo the Golden Retriever was postponed. 

Eventually, in September, Milo finally became a full-time family member of the Bailey household and in November, he and Scott qualified together as owner and guide dog. 

Having Milo by his side has not only brought Scott confidence, independence and immeasurable happiness, but Scott’s life is often in Milo’s paws when they’re out alone together. Milo has prevented Scott from being injured by unexpected building works, and on one occasion, even stopped him from crossing a road during a dangerous police car chase. 

Milo’s impact has reached beyond just guiding. At home, Scott believes that Milo has given his daughters their dad back. And because of Milo, Scott has had the confidence to return to college where he is training as a counsellor to help others affected by sight loss. 

“I cannot believe the massive difference Milo has made to mine and my family's life,” says Scott. “He literally is my best friend and will always be hero dog to me.”

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/
https://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/

We advise puppy buyers to go to The Kennel Club Assured Breeders. Members of this scheme all agree to follow good breeding practices and are inspected to maintain and guarantee standards. When searching for a puppy, our assured breeders will appear first on our Find a Puppy service and they will have the scheme's logo next to their name. You can search by area and your chosen breed. You can also browse the full list of The Kennel Club Assured Breeders.

The statistics, gathered by The Kennel Club through Freedom of Information requests to the 45 police forces in the UK to which 36 responded, show that there were an estimated 2,355* cases of dog theft in 2020, which is a 7 per cent increase on 2019 (2,199). This amounts to more than 196 dogs being stolen, to the heartbreak of their owners, every single month. 

However, based on the 27 police forces that provided data for dog theft case outcomes in 2020, only two per cent of all dog theft cases in the UK led to a suspect being charged. These were almost entirely brought in by the Metropolitan Police (nine per cent of all cases dealt with by the force) and Cheshire Constabulary (two per cent of all cases dealt with by the force). 

In 2020, no suspect was identified in more than half (54 per cent) of reported dog theft cases and three per cent of cases were dismissed as not being in the public interest. In more than a quarter (27 per cent), a suspect was identified but nothing further was done due to ‘evidential difficulties’.

The statistics are revealed 79 days after the Government’s Pet Theft Taskforce was established (8 May) to help tackle the issue – in which time another 508 dogs have been stolen. The Kennel Club is urging more transparent recording of pet theft on a central database, so that underlying causes of dog theft can be tackled, and for the emotional value of dogs to be recognised in sentencing.

“Dog theft has devastating consequences for both the owners and the pets involved and it is quite frankly jaw dropping that 98 per cent of cases never result in a criminal charge, and in more than half no suspect is ever identified,” said Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at The Kennel Club. 

“Not only that, but when a suspect is found and sentenced, dog theft is often treated no more seriously than a petty crime, despite the fact that there is nothing ‘petty’ about pet theft. 

“Whilst thankfully most people will never be unfortunate enough to fall victim to this crime, those that do are left totally bereft but without a clear route to justice. We welcome the Government taking this issue seriously and hope that the Taskforce can deliver meaningful change in England and Wales; giving greater transparency in how we report and record this crime, and delivering more proportionate sentences that treat dog theft with the seriousness it deserves. This is needed across the UK – from the Scottish Government and Northern Irish Executive too.”

Amongst the actions being called for as part of The Kennel Club’s ‘Paw and Order: Dog Theft Reform’ campaign is for more resources to be allocated to this crime and for more transparent, centralised collection of data about pet theft, including the number of crimes, arrests and convictions. Currently, there is no central record in order to help decision-makers understand the scale of the problem or the circumstances around it – for example, whether a theft was driven by opportunism or organised crime. 

The Kennel Club is also calling for a reclassification of how dog theft is treated in the law, as currently sentences place undue weighting on the monetary value of the pet rather than giving sufficient weight to the emotional impact of the crime. This means it is often treated in the same way as the theft of a laptop or mobile phone, rather than as a category one offence, which carries a maximum of seven years in prison in England and Wales.

Dog owners are reminded that they are unlikely to fall victim to this crime but there are steps they can take to help keep their dogs safe.

“Ted was stolen from my back garden in June this year, my gate had been broken and he was gone. 

 “I've advertised all over social media, posting countless times a day. I've rang local vets, dog wardens, the police, and have even set up a Go Fund Me page to help with a reward to get him back, I’m desperate to get him home. 

“Ted is part of my family, I'm disabled and he is my little companion. The first two weeks after he was stolen, I cried day and night. I didn't sleep more than four hours a day, I couldn’t, and I still don’t sleep most nights because I’m so worried and it’s all I can think about. Has he been hurt? Has he been left to die somewhere? My brain can’t shut down, it just thinks of all the bad things that could be happening to him. I cry constantly, I suffer from depression and Ted being taken has taken it to an all time low. 

“Someone purposely broke my back gate and stole a part of my family with no thought of the devastation it has caused us. I honestly can’t describe the amount of heartbreak we have felt since.

“I have heart problems that have since worsened because I'm not sleeping and am so stressed about Ted. My daughter’s little dog is missing him too, she has started to bark constantly. 

“The laws around pet theft must change - dogs are not an inanimate object, they're living breathing things that can show and feel love, feel pain, and they miss their owners. They are part of the family, and to some they're like their child. They can’t be replaced like an object. 

“Criminals who steal dogs should face a prison sentence and the laws must be strengthened. Dog theft is a big thing now – the police say it's easier money than selling drugs and with no risk of prison. If it isn’t stopped now, and the Government don’t take action, dog theft and the heartbreak it brings with it, will become an even bigger problem. 

“Someone has kidnapped a member of our family. All I want is Ted to be home.”

“Ivy was staying with our son in Kentish Town London for a couple weeks. She was stolen from his living room – the thieves came over the garden fence and broke into the house through doors that connect the house and the garden. 

“Ivy was still a puppy, she was seven months old when she was taken.

“The police were called as soon as our son discovered that Ivy was gone, but we didn’t receive much support from them initially. To bring Ivy home we started a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

“It has been devastating experience for us. We have been worried sick of her fate, how is she being cared for, whether she is neglected or used for breeding. She also had problem with her eye which would be very sore and might be in need of urgent treatment to prevent her from going blind.

“The police did offer more help, assigning us a senior investigator and creating a MET police appeal video for her case, but there has been no leads so far.

“It’s a terrible experience. We imagine the worst, and the frustration and worry escalates. It’s causing stress between us as a family, our youngest children keep asking where Ivy is and if our other dog – George – misses her. It’s constant heartbreak and we can’t do anything to change the situation. We can’t move on with our lives for fear and guilt of enjoying ourselves at all when she could be suffering.

“The law around pet theft definitely needs to change, it is crime that needs to be taken more seriously, with tougher sentencing. Dogs are not just a possessions, you don’t just get over it and buy a new one. Pet theft is an abduction of a loved family member.

“We just want Ivy back, and to take care of her as her family.” 

“Willow was stolen from our back garden almost three years ago and we’ve had no clues or sightings since.

“We believe the thieves accessed our garden from our side gate or front garden. Our other dog was found in the garden left alone which was very unusual because at the time she was a puppy and would follow Willow everywhere.

“We are a family of six, and Willow’s disappearance broke all of our hearts. We have been living in limbo ever since we lost her, tirelessly searching for her, and working hard to raise awareness not only about Willow’s case but about the devastating effects of dog theft on their owners and families.

“We set up a Facebook page and Willow’s case was mentioned in MP petition committee debates about the issue.

“Pet theft is rife and heartbreaking. I thought that it could never happen, I thought our house and garden was safe and then Willow disappeared. Sadly, it happens all the time.

“She was my shadow and best buddy, she went everywhere with me and I feel lost and helpless without her.

“I believe the law around pet theft and sentencing needs to be changed as the current legislation is outdated – it is more than 50 years old! The current laws are in no way deterrent and I hope that the petitions that have been debated in the Parliament will become law very soon.

“We had no leads since Willow disappeared almost three years ago, but we are not going to give up on her until she’s home.” 

“Friends for Life is an opportunity to celebrate these dogs that quietly go about changing people’s lives in their own unique and special way. We had some fantastic nominees this year from all over the UK so choosing just five finalists was incredibly tough. All of this year’s finalists are incredibly worthy winners, and all share a very special relationship with their pets. We would encourage people to vote for their favourite to show their support for these extraordinary dogs. Dogs are known as man’s best friend and our five finalists go to show exactly why that is.”

The annual Friends for Life competition at Crufts celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs, the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and the support they give us in the face of adversity.

The Friends for Life winner (voted by you) will be announced on Sunday 10th March at 5.20pm in the Crufts main arena. They will receive £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of the choice, with the other finalists receiving £1,000 for their chosen dog charity.

The annual Friends for Life competition at Crufts celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs, the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and the support they give us in the face of adversity.

The Friends for Life winner (voted by you) will be announced on Sunday 10th March at 5.20pm in the Crufts main arena. They will receive £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of the choice, with the other finalists receiving £1,000 for their chosen dog charity.

The annual Friends for Life competition at Crufts celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs, the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and the support they give us in the face of adversity.

The Friends for Life winner (voted by you) will be announced on Sunday 10th March at 5.20pm in the Crufts main arena. They will receive £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of the choice, with the other finalists receiving £1,000 for their chosen dog charity.

The annual Friends for Life competition at Crufts celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs, the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and the support they give us in the face of adversity.

The Friends for Life winner (voted by you) will be announced on Sunday 10th March at 5.20pm in the Crufts main arena. They will receive £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of the choice, with the other finalists receiving £1,000 for their chosen dog charity.

The annual Friends for Life competition at Crufts celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs, the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and the support they give us in the face of adversity.

The Friends for Life winner (voted by you) will be announced on Sunday 10th March at 5.20pm in the Crufts main arena. They will receive £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of the choice, with the other finalists receiving £1,000 for their chosen dog charity.