Latest news with #HeroDogAward
BBC News
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Retired Essex Police dog Baloo wins at Crufts 2025
A retired Essex Police dog who was hit by a car won an award at Crufts 2025. Baloo was given The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award after almost 120,000 votes were 2018, while on duty, the Belgian Malinois was hit by a suspect's car fleeing a crime scene, and one of her legs was amputated. When recovered, she visited officers to help with their wellbeing and inspired the launch of a trauma support Mandy Chapman, who is a retired police dog handler, said: "She is an amazing dog through and through. Despite her disability and the terrible injuries she sustained, she has come through it all so well and finds joy in life, as well as giving joy in life, every single day." The award was announced at the bp pulse LIVE arena, at the NEC in Birmingham, on the final day of Crufts, by campaigner Josephine Hamilton OBE and Paralympian, Ellie Simmonds Mandy and Baloo, eight, were presented with their award and a cheque for £5,000 for their dog charity of choice – Essex Retired Police Dog Fund. Baloo and Mandy worked with the College of Policing team to set up 'Oscar Kilo' wellbeing and trauma support dogs service. Now there are more than 250 canines involved with the scheme. They also visited schools, care homes and community groups to help mental health."You can see the difference she makes to people when she goes to see them," Mandy said."She proves that however hard things get, you can get through it. She is super soppy and sharing her is so rewarding, I love every second of it."Speaking about the win she added: "I can see why this competition goes to public vote, because who on earth could choose, but thank you to each and every person who has voted for her."Helen Kerfoot, Crufts show manager, said: "What Baloo has achieved, the courage she has shown, and the support she now gives others is extraordinary. "Mandy and Baloo's incredible bond and the work they do together is inspiring." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Channel 4 reaches new agreement to cover Crufts until 2029
Channel 4 has announced it will continue to broadcast the Crufts dog show until 2029. The new agreement, covering 2026 to 2029, extends the broadcaster's relationship with the famous dog show to almost two decades, having first aired coverage in 2010. The show, which is celebrating its 75th year of being broadcast, began on Thursday. Channel 4's coverage is hosted by Clare Balding, who is joined by regular Crufts reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and two new presenters, Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson. The broadcast will include events such as flyball, agility, heelwork to music, The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award and the best in show – Crufts' top honour. More than 200 pedigree breeds from 51 different counties will compete for the title, according to Channel 4, which will be awarded live on the channel on March 9. Last year, an Australian shepherd named Viking from Solihull, Birmingham, beat 24,000 dogs from around the world to win best in show. Channel 4's head of sports, Pete Andrews, said: 'Crufts is a truly unique event and has a very special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers and we're delighted that Channel 4 will continue our relationship with The Kennel Club and the producers of our Crufts coverage, Sunset+Vine.' Jannine Edgar, chief executive of The Kennel Club, said: 'We have enjoyed fantastic coverage with Channel 4 over the last 15 years and are delighted to continue our partnership for the next four years. 'Channel 4 has provided The Kennel Club with more airtime for Crufts than ever before, helping us to show the important role dogs play in our lives.' Crufts takes place over four days and has been held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham since 1991. It was first televised in 1950 by the BBC and was live-streamed in 2009 after the broadcaster dropped the show. Organiser of Crufts, The Kennel Club, is a UK organisation devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Viewers will be able to watch Crufts on Channel 4, More4 and on Channel 4 streaming from March 6 to 9.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inspirational dog who supported grieving owner shortlisted for prestigious Kennel Club award
An inspirational dog from Wiltshire has been singled out for national recognition after proving first hand that dogs are man's best friend. English Setter-cross Louis and his owner Nick Johnson have been unveiled as the finalists in the Best Friends category of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. The annual award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role they throughout our lives and in society by helping others, and the five finalists have been picked ahead of Crufts 2025. READ MORE: Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann says new DNA test results are 'perfect match' READ MORE: Rick Stein tragedy as 'much-loved' chef who worked for BBC star found dead Johnson and rescue Louis embarked on an incredible journey across more than 3,000 miles of English coastline in 2023 in honour of Johnson's late wife, Lisa, who died of ovarian cancer, raising over £60,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action. It was a journey that has helped raise awareness of the disease across the country but it also cemented a man and dog friendship that transcends the norm. "Louis is a rescue dog and to be honest I don't really know who rescued who now," he said. "We've been together not two years and he's been pivotal in my life post Lisa and we have such a strong bond now. He's a fantastic dog. "Two days before Lisa died she asked me what I was going to do when she was gone and I said that Louie and I would be an ambassador for the charity which would also help me reflect. "So we set off on a huge adventure to walk the English coastline alone, it took us nearly six months and we covered thousands of miles." Johnson admitted that he has never been to Crufts before but will now stand in the acclaimed arena alongside the four other Hero Dog finalists in what he claims as a great honour. "We're very excited and privileged to be nominated for Hero Dog," he added. "Louis, as my companion is a worthy nominee, and we are excited to be part of such an esteemed establishment and great show." Judges from The Kennel Club, one of the UK's largest dog welfare organisations, selected the five finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the Hero Dog Award winner being announced at Birmingham NEC, and on Channel 4, on the final day of Crufts 2025. 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. Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Crufts, which unveiled this year's five finalists in Green Park, London, said: "The Hero Dog Award celebrates our relationship with dogs and we pick some of those really interesting stories to recognise and celebrate each year. "For many years we used to choose the winners ourselves but that became far too difficult and so we now put it out to the public to vote. They can choose the winners and see their stories on our website. "We then showcase those stories at Crufts and announce the winner, and I already know that there will not be a dry eye in the house." The public can now watch each of the finalist's stories, including Louis', in specially-made videos, and vote for their Hero Dog 2025, until 4pm on Sunday 9 March, by visiting
BBC News
18-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Blood donor dog from Eaton Bray nominated for Crufts hero award
A dog that donated blood and saved 168 other canines is in the running for a heroic dog Gordon Setter Sharwood, from Eaton Brey in Bedfordshire, broke records after giving more than 40 donations to the Pet Blood Bank for critically ill or injured pets in is among five finalists nominated for a Hero Dog Award from The Kennel Club, which runs owner, Sue Mitchell, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that Sharwood is the record holder for the number of donations given to Pet Blood Bank." The five nominee dogs were selected by judges from The Kennel Club.A winner will be chosen by a public vote and announced on 9 March, the final day of Mitchell described her dog as a "very laid-back dog" who "loves his exercise, loves his food, and just loves life generally".Sharwood has been donating blood since he was 13 months owner said: "I thought it was really important because you never know when your dog may possibly have to have a transfusion, and if you have suitable dogs that can do this donating then it's well worth it." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
18-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dog up for Crufts award after helping girl, 9, 'transform life'
When nine-year-old Rozalyn was struggling with the demands of helping to care for her disabled little brother - in stepped Pomeranian schoolgirl, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, supports her brother Rory, six, who is autistic, non-verbal, and has profound learning mum, Abbie, said the dog Rosa joined the family to help Rozalyn "escape from the difficulties she had been facing daily".The 11-month-old pup has now been announced as one of five dogs which have reached the national final of the Kennel Club's Hero Dog Award - with the winner being announced at Crufts in March. Abbie said the dog had made a "huge difference" to Rozalyn and the rest of the family's lives since they got her when she was an eight week old puppy. "Rosa has transformed our lives and gave me my little girl back," Abbie said. "She's an amazing part of the family and had a huge impact on us all."A lot of my time is spent with Rory at home and it's given Rozalyn a distraction so she doesn't feel left out.""Rozalyn is a lot more confident now and she's talking to people again. She wants to go out again to socialise and has always got a friend there with her now."Abbie, 36, said Rozalyn put "so much pressure" on herself to help Rory that she decided to learn Makaton so she could communicate with addition to helping with daily tasks like changing her brother's clothes, Rozalyn also saved up her pocket money to donate to a disabled children's charity. But Abbie said the hard work started to have a negative impact on her mental health and she started struggling with anxiety and getting sleep."Rosa helps Rozalyn switch off at night, even when Rory is loud and cannot settle," she said. "She has more independence, allowing her to get to school more happy and focused."Rosa is having a positive impact on Rory too as she is such a gentle and loving dog. He sits beside her and enjoys watching her play."The Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationship people have with their dogs and the important role they can play throughout our lives and in added: "Rosa will follow us around anywhere. She's fluffy, she's beige and white, and she's got teddy bear ears. She's tiny and she's very cute."Rosa should win the award because she's my best friend and helps me with my problems."
