Belle has become a very important part of Amee’s life, all while helping dozens of others, too

Belle has been an absolute star over the last two years. She’s stayed with me when I’ve been extremely unwell in hospital and supported me through a rough pregnancy and birth. Plus, she was the first assistance dog to join the labour ward in my local hospital!

I couldn’t be prouder of her

She is so special to me, and I wouldn’t be able to get through each day without her guidance.

Belle not only helps me, but she also volunteers on an intensive care and general ward at the hospital, as well as a primary school for therapy dog sessions. She loves absolutely everyone and everything, so there’s nothing that phases her. I couldn’t be prouder of her beautiful temperament and willingness to work.

Mary’s pooch Jack Daniels (JD) is able to be a bouncy puppy one minute, and a soothing therapy dog the next.

We adopted JD as a 14-week-old puppy. His previous owner had only had him for five days before deciding it was too much effort to have a dog. The minute he met our daughter, who is autistic with specific learning difficulties, he instantly seemed to know that she needed calmness.

He’s such a natural therapy dog

He does not leave her side when she’s home, and picks up on the signs she is overwhelmed. He lies by her and sticks his head in her hands. At night he sleeps by her bed and when she wakes at night, he lies on top of her. The pressure of him seems to send her back to sleep. He’s such a natural therapy dog.

He is also a crazy young dog who is ball-obsessed and also likes helping dig at the allotment. I can’t believe how lucky we have been to find such a wonderful dog.

Cody has helped Helen to come out of a dark place feeling happier and more hopeful

I was only 20 when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which was a really tough period of my life. At the time, I told my parents how much I’d love to have a dog to keep me company, but I never thought they’d actually agree to get one.

After returning home from a trip one day, I went upstairs to chat to my mum and found the sweetest, most cuddly looking dog sat on her bed! That was the first time I met Cody and I haven’t looked back since.

I haven’t looked back since

At first, getting woken up at all hours of the night and having to share my bed with an ever-growing Rottweiler was a bit of a shock. But Cody truly saw me through the darkest time of my life and for that I’ll be forever grateful. He has helped me in ways I can’t even put into words.

Eight years later and our bond is still going strong. Now, he’s much bigger and manages to scare away most delivery drivers and all the postmen – but really, he’s a big softie at heart. All he wants is a belly rub and for you to hold is paw.

It’s been a difficult few years for Jason, but Remi’s love and playfulness has been a huge help on hard days

My black Lab, Remi, is one of the most affectionate yet mischievous dogs I've ever had! She’s always up for a cuddle and loves to sit beside me on the couch and steal my seat when I move.

Remi has been very important to me over the last few years

Remi has been very important to me over the last few years, as one of my family members has been struggling with mental health issues. I'm not really someone who likes to talk, so having Remi by my side has really helped me get through it all.

Frontline worker Jodi got Flo to keep her dad company – and now their world revolves around her.

Flo was an isolation puppy from the Dogs Trust. She came into our lives at just the right time. Both my mum and I are frontline workers caring for the local community. And my dad recently had his right leg amputated after a long battle with cancer. We live in a small secluded village and we were worried about how my dad would cope with being housebound while we were both at work.

In came Flo, with her unusual beagle colours and regal attitude. She fits right in with our older dog Flash and has already become the boss of the house. She’s more interested in snuggling up to my dad on the sofa than playing in the garden. And every Thursday at 9pm she sits on the spot for the clapping for our carers. We all think she believes this round of applause is for her – she even pops a paw up when it’s over!

She came into our lives at just the right time

She loves her home comforts and drags her blanket with her everywhere she goes. She’s always ready for nap o’clock. But most of all she loves tummy rubs. She is now 14 weeks’ old and celebrating her fourth week with the family who love and spoil her far too much already.

When I asked the family what their favourite thing about Flo was everyone was in agreement: it was her love of carrying a stick on every walk, especially when they’re three times the size of her and too heavy to carry.

It’s Flo’s world really, we just live in it.

Red was suffering from various health problems when Gwen first took him in, but that never stopped him from being his lively, cheeky self

Red came to me from a friend whose son had rescued him. I was his fifth home when he was only six months old. He’s very friendly and energetic. However, he came with health issues. He had giardia parasites, campylobacter and round worm. He’d have an upset stomach about a dozen or more times a day.

He also had build-ups of energy, where he’d just run and run. It took a while, but I got him healthy. Then came recall training. We did that on long stretches of riverbank. I even recorded him running at 25mph down the road.

Red’s always been a Houdini-level escape artist

Red’s always been a Houdini-level escape artist, and he still takes himself off sometimes for some solo exercise, then comes home and waits in the front garden for someone to come and play ball. Whenever he's brought up the drive, he barks and heralds a new friend to play with. He’ll even go into my neighbour’s garden to scratch at her door, asking them to come and play.

Every day, he waits for the postie or anyone visiting and puts his ball through the gate to greet them. Even some people who’ve been frightened of dogs have been charmed by his playful antics. He's also good with small children and takes the ball to their feet to play. He's a happy, joyful, funny, intelligent boy.