Search kicks off for UK’s Best Canine Hero for the National Crufts Award

At Crufts 2020, Golden Retriever Leo and his owner Lyndsey Uglow were announced as the winners of the prestigious award, presented by competition ambassador James Middleton – who credits his dogs and their emotional support for saving his life .

Crowned as the UK’s best hero dog, Leo leads a team of therapy dogs who visit Southampton Children’s Hospital to provide animal-assisted intervention. Leo, Lyndsey and their friends have been to the hospital up to five times a week for the past seven years, helping more than 10,000 often critically ill children.

The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog protection organization, is now looking for more heartwarming and inspiring stories that show how much dogs do for humans throughout their lifetimes, and is calling on the public to nominate a canine companion who deserves to be recognized for what they do.

After more than a year of isolation, unprecedented stress and emotional turmoil caused by the pandemic, the organization hopes to shed light on these canine lifelines that have kept their owners through hard times, and the tremendous support, comfort and companionship that dogs give to many.

The winner of the Kennel Club Dog Hero Award, which is supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, will be unveiled at Crufts 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday March 13 and will receive £ 5,000 for a canine charity of their choice. Finalists will receive £ 1,000 for the charity of their choice.

The public is invited to nominate their four-legged heroes in the following categories:

• The Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog – for those who have shown extraordinary qualities while working in the military, police, RAF, airport, search and rescue, etc.

• Hero Assistance Dog – introducing all assistance and assistance dogs, from guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical detection dogs and autism assistance dogs to assistance dogs, including therapy dogs or pets that provide emotional support

• Best Friends – recognize a companion dog who has seen their owner go through the most difficult times, as well as the happiest

• Child’s Champion – celebrating a dog that has supported and positively impacted the life of a child (16 and under)

• Hero Rescue Dog – for a rescue dog who has overcome adversity and changed the life of his owner (s).

Nominations are open until October 12, 2021 and five finalists will be chosen to advance to the final at Crufts 2022, where the overall winner, selected by public vote, will be announced ahead of the Crufts Best in Show Grand Final on March 13. .

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “We are looking forward to hosting the Kennel Club Dog Hero Award competition at Crufts in 2022.

“Every day, dogs save lives in war zones, instill confidence and independence in people with disabilities – both mentally and physically – and demonstrate remarkable bravery and loyalty as pets. , and our new contest will showcase everything our four-legged heroes do for us.

“With the multiple blockages and the stress and isolation caused by the pandemic, we know that now, more than ever, dogs have been and continue to be a lifeline for so many people, and we want to celebrate these heroes. everyday life that gets us through our toughest times.

“We want to hear from anyone who has a heartwarming story about how their dog changed their lives for the better, or how a canine companion made a difference to a friend or family member. The winner will take center stage at Crufts 2022, an event dedicated to celebrating the diverse role dogs play in society and all the ways they enrich our lives.

“We encourage anyone who knows a four-legged hero to come forward for recognition in this competition and to showcase all of the reasons our dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’.”

Nominations can be made by visiting crufts.org.uk/dogheroaward. The finalists will be announced next year, before the winner is crowned Crufts 2022, which will take place at the NEC in Birmingham from March 10-13, 2022.