Ivy has helped Izzy love life again, whether it’s taking on new adventures or simply cuddling up in bed

Ivy in nature is a wild plant that winds its way, gripping onto surfaces it comes into contact with. My Ivy dog is dependable and perseverant, always beside me on my journey, entangled in each other’s lives just like the plant.

Arriving when I had lost all hope, in the depths of mental illness crisis, her dependable companionship provided me with the reassurance and safety I was so desperately seeking. She has helped me feel grounded through continued distress from mental ill health, a constant physical reminder that she needs me.

Sitting cosy in bed sharing some marmalade on toast before we start the day is one of her favourites

She looks back up at me constantly checking in, a calming influence. She aided my return, and her introduction to being active, living and loving outdoor adventures. Biking, paddling, walking, climbing, she’ll go where I go and I feel I’ve lost something when she’s not there. We look out for one another, swimming rapids to help each other.

Having PTSD often means that nights can be filled with colourful lifelike dreams. Ivy sleeps touching me, often a nose or paw in the face as she wriggles to be comfy. Her presence and understanding comforts me. We share many special moments but sitting cosy in bed sharing some marmalade on toast before we start the day is one of her favourites.

She not only helps me but is a companion and presence within a special needs school that we work at together. Ivy is just 16 months of age, but her maturity keeps her steady in temperament and character. I look forward to many more adventures together in the future.

Twig never leaves Lotte’s side and has even helped her reconnect with her nan, who’s suffering from the debilitating effects of dementia

Last year, my nan’s dementia got a lot worse, and I felt like I had lost her behind the fog and confusion of the disease. She no longer remembered my name, she was scared and erratic and it was impossible to have a conversation with her.

Then I took Twig to see her. My nan’s face lit up as Twig bounded towards her, she opened her arms and yelled ‘TWIG!’ She remembered her! We could talk about Twig and stroke her together and it calmed and grounded my nan. Twig was like a portal, bringing a little fragment of my nan back to me.

Twig is the kindest and most warm-hearted dog I have ever met

Twig has been my rock, best friend and soulmate since I collected her from a little farm in Wales two years ago. We are inseparable. She comes out with the horses to gallop on the beach, we go on adventures up mountains, and she even comes to work with me at the vets. She’s not only the face of the practice (her photos are literally all over the walls!), but also a calm and comforting presence for other dogs who are in for surgery.

She has also helped raise an abandoned kitten that was brought into the vets close to death. Twig kept her warm and brought her back to life. It was adorable to see, you can’t make this stuff up!

Twig is the kindest and most warm-hearted dog I have ever met. She is also a true character and people just fall in love with her. When I am sad or anxious, she distracts and comforts me. She always knows what to do to.

And talk about a poser! If a camera comes out, Twig understands the assignment. But then again, it would be a crime for her not to share her beauty with the world!

Julian has learnt a lot from his two dogs Gracie and Sophie, who brighten up his every day

Gracie is a lovely Golden Retriever, who lives with her daughter Sophie. Sophie turned two years old on the first of December, but she didn't take much notice of her birthday celebrations. She was much more interested in chasing the pheasants that roam across the fields near our house – they make a wonderful chucking sound when they leave the ground, and Gracie loves nothing more than to watch her run after them.

Dogs are an example to us all

On one occasion, the pair of them decided to chase after a herd of about 50 deer. Of course, they never manage to catch anything, but it is quite entertaining to watch them try!

Dogs are an example to us all. While we moan and groan, dogs are always positive and happy to be here. In the morning, we have to have a cup of tea or coffee before we can get anything done – but dogs are up with a shake of their head and a wag of their tail, bright and happy whatever the weather and however early it is. We can learn so much from our four-legged best friends.

Bowser came into Jenny’s life when she needed him the most, and has made it better every day since

We got Bowser after my mother passed away from cancer. I'd been struggling, and I’d always wanted to include a dog in the family anyway. We fell in love with Bowser from the first moment we saw him, when he was just four weeks old.

His favourite place to be is at the pub

His favourite place to be is at the pub, where he greets everyone with a wagging tail and demands a belly rub. He's great with other dogs and loves kids, but he definitely has a naughty streak!

He's done me a world of good and owning him has made me much more sociable. In fact, since getting Bowser, I’ve spoken to more people than ever before.

Teddy is constantly making his owner Callum laugh with his hilarious antics

Teddy is a real character. I’m sure he thinks he’s a cat, as I’ll often find him attempting to climb the cat tree, which never ends well for him! He sure knows how to have fun – one minute he’ll be playing with his toys and the next he’s doing his famous Greyhound impression. He can also bea little terror, but no matter what he’s doing, he’ll always put a smile on your face.

He sure knows how to have fun

Joanna’s three furry friends proved the perfect tonic during a long rehabilitation from injury

Billy is 6, Henry is 1 and Percy is 9 months. My dogs are the best, as are everyone's to their families, but they really proved themselves this last year. In September I fell off my horse and broke my back, resulting in bed and sofa rest for 6 weeks and then some movement.

They snuggled in closer to comfort me

I am a very active person. I love walking the dogs and being at the yard with the horses and riding. During my 'cage rest' period, my dogs would keep me entertained. They would bring me toys – I'm sure for their benefit rather than mine – to play with, they would snuggle with me and they would guard me and growl at me if I tried to move. It was as if they knew I wasn't allowed to. If I moved they moved.

If I cried when the pain got too much, they snuggled in closer to comfort me. When I was allowed to start my rehab and walking, taking the dogs out was part of that, they were as good as gold, it was like they knew. They didn't mind the fact that I could only go a few steps each day, but always had a wag and never got stroppy. The dogs helped me through a really tough time and helped me mentally to overcome the trauma I was going through.