18-02-2025
Kent rescue dog who was found abandoned in basket named Crufts finalist
A rescue dog found abandoned on a roundabout has been named a finalist in the Crufts Hero Award.
Tilly, a two-year-old pup, was discovered in a plastic washing basket at just four weeks old.
She was taken in by New Hope Animal Rescue, along with three other puppies, and hand-reared in a foster home until she was old enough to be adopted.
Emily Washington, from Strood, Kent, adopted Tilly and has since helped her become a therapy dog.
In less than a year, Tilly made a remarkable turnaround and passed the temperament assessment at just nine months old to become a Pets as Therapy dog.
She now regularly visits care homes, schools, colleges, and prisons for therapy sessions.
Tilly has also been a great support to her owner Emily, helping her through a challenging recovery after spinal surgery.
She has been trained to alert Emily to oncoming migraines and high anxiety, as well as interrupt stress-related behaviours.
Emily said: "Tilly has overcome everything life has thrown at her.
"She absolutely shows that rescue dogs can go on to do amazing things.
"From a dumped puppy to a therapy and assistance dog, she deserves the recognition for what she has done for so many people."
The Kennel Club announced Tilly as a finalist in the Rescue Dog Hero category of the Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, which celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role they play in society.
The winner will be announced at Crufts 2025.
Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Crufts, said: "This award is an opportunity to celebrate our unsung canine heroes – those dogs that quietly go about changing people's lives in their own unique and special way, those who keep us safe in society and show extraordinary courage, and those best friends who are by our sides through it all.
"We urge those across the region and beyond to vote for Tilly and show their support for this extraordinary little dog who has overcome all the odds and now makes a remarkable difference for others."
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.
The public can now watch each of the finalist's stories, including Tilly's, in specially-made videos, and vote for their Hero Dog 2025, until 4pm on Sunday, March 9, by visiting crufts website.
