A hero dog who has transformed the life of a deaf 12-year-old girl is among the pups shortlisted for an award.
The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the special relationship between the animals and their owners.
Elyana Kuhlemeier, from East Sussex, would tear clumps from her hair because of bullying or would spend the day vomiting when she became overwhelmed.
But the arrival of Gordon, Elyanaʼs hearing dog, has boosted her confidence.
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Elyana’s mother Silvie said: “Gordon has brought support, comfort, and reassurance not just to Elyana’s life, but to our whole family.
“Thanks to Gordon, she is positive and excited for the future, and doesn’t feel that her deafness will stop her from achieving what she wants to. Every single day we see the bond between him and Elyana grow stronger.”
Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the four inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, which opened today (TUES).
Golden Retriever Phoebe who helps para-sailor Jazz Turner, 25, live her life to the full.
Jazz and Phoebe posing for a photo (Image: Eleanor Riley and The Kennel Club)
Jazz was diagnosed with a life-limiting progressive condition, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes her joints to dislocate, when she was 18.
The condition also affects many other of her bodily systems and she has to be fed intravenously.
But Phoebe– who is also a rescue dog – alerts Jazz to her fainting episodes and seizures.
Jazz said: “I can do things I never would be able to without Phoebe,” says Jazz. “She helps me out with everyday tasks and means I don’t need my parents or a carers help to do day to day activities, letting me feel like a normal 25 year old.
“Phoebe is my lifeline, my best friend and she gives me an independence I wouldn’t
otherwise have.”
Together, Jazz and Phoebe also volunteer at care homes, several local universities to help with stress, and with young people with learning difficulties.
Search and rescue dog Vesper, whose job it is to locate survivors of humanitarian accidents and disasters across the world, is also up for the gong.
The four-year-old Belgian Malinois was deemed unsuitable to become a police dog.
Hero dog Vesper on the job (Image: The The Kennel Club and Imagecomms)
But Niamh Darcy, a dog handler from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, took a chance on Vesper in 2020 when she was 18 months old.
After a 48 hour trial under arduous selection conditions, Vesper performed flawlessly and their bond as a team was solid – and Vesper joined Niamh as her canine search partner.
Niamh said: “Vesper is now an experienced and mature search dog who is leading the way within the field of search and rescue. She’s a true hero and living proof that every dog can exceed their potential.”
Freya, eight, was diagnosed with a rare form of stage 4 cancer in 2021 and had to undergo surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Freya and Echo taking a walk (Image: Imagecomms and The Kennel Club)
Australian Shepherd dog Echo has changed Freya’s life, her parents Gemma and Rikki said.
Gemma added: “Echo’s arrival opened up a whole new world for Freya. She’s brought her so much confidence, she has really helped the family and they are best friends.
“We couldn’t be happier or more proud of everything Freya’s achieved, and Echo is always by her side.”
The winner of the award, crowned by Paralympian Libby Clegg on the final day of Crufts
Next month, will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice.
Other finalists will receive a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity.
The public can now watch each of the finalist’s stories in specially-made videos and vote for their Hero Dog 2024, until 4pm on Sunday 10 March, by visiting crufts.org.uk/herodogaward.
