A true one-of-a-kind dog, Kin has changed Robert’s life for the better

This amazing, cheeky girl has brought so much joy to my life.

Kin is unique because she’s the very first and only Japanese Akita Inu in the UK to be actively working as a seizure alert dog.

Where there had been danger and darkness in my life due to epileptic seizures, Kin has brought safety and light. Warning me of an impending seizure, this beautiful girl has revolutionised my life – allowing me time to put myself in a place of safety and looking after me while I’m unconscious.

It’s difficult to put into words what Kin means to me

Just this week, I was having an unpleasant and painful medical procedure in hospital, and Kin was by my side throughout. She could detect that the pain was inducing a seizure, and she gave her warning signals, which I alerted the medical staff to. They heeded my instructions and Kin’s warnings, and they halted the procedure, which brought me back from the brink of having a seizure.

It’s difficult to put into words what Kin means to me, other than she is my absolute world! I love her so much.

Anna is in awe of how strong and resilient her dog Alfie is, even when life doesn’t go his way

In 2019, we noticed Alfie was starting to slow down a lot, and he seemed to be getting old before his time. Sadly, it turned out he was gradually losing his sight, and he became very withdrawn.

Alfie has shown such resilience

At the time, we were devastated, but Alfie has shown such resilience and found a way to overcome all his difficulties. He has so much strength and brings me endless happiness. He’s taught me to make the most of life andhe will forever be my best friend and inspiration!

In 2019, Lisa raised more than £2,000 for her local Christie Hospital to thank them for the care she received there, and she couldn’t have done it without her dog, Jessie

I've always been a keen walker and, in 2019, I embarked on a challenge to ‘walk the year’ – 2,019 miles with my best walking pal, Jessie, a Bedlington Whippet cross. We were raising funds for our local Christie Hospital, where I had been an inpatient 10 years previously. I was discharged from their care that year and felt the need to give something back.

Together, we soon raised, and exceeded, the target of £2,019, and we completed our challenge by August 2019. In truth, Jessie probably completed the challenge in March or April, such is her boundless energy.

She has an innocent zest for life

Jessie was with me every step of the way. Her good humour and enthusiasm was always there to keep me going. She has an innocent zest for life and she’s the most willing of walking companions, especially if there's cooked chicken in my rucksack.

We spent glorious days exploring the West Pennine Moors and beyond and, without Jessie, I know I wouldn't have ventured out on some of those wet and wild Lancashire days!

Having a walking companion who listens without interrupting, who goes where you want to go and who is happy to just be with you is priceless. And when I found myself lost on the moors, she was always there to give me a kiss and a cheery smile.

Teddy provides Victoria-Ellen with support as well as a laugh.

Teddy has a mischievous streak. Last Christmas, my mum made a super trifle. Unfortunately, no one noticed Teddy climb on the chair to reach the table, where he promptly started to eat it! My mum straightened up where he had nibbled and none of us noticed what he had done.

My favourite thing about Teddy is the way he gives me so much love

I had his DNA done, and he is a real mix – he’s part Dachshund, part Yorkshire Terrier and part Shih tzu!

My favourite thing about Teddy is the way he gives me so much love and seems to know how I am feeling. I have a learning disability and Teddy is a fantastic support to me.

Once a month he has a hydro session to help his front legs and ease his arthritis. He really enjoys this swimming and it is nice for him and me to do something together just the two of us.

Looking after Molly hasn’t always been easy, but Nicola has nothing but unconditional love for her

Molly came into our life a year ago and changed it forever. My husband and I had been volunteering at a lovely dog rescue charity called SHAK, where Molly was a favourite. She had been living there for three years and had already had four homes before she came to us.

She is a Husky Akita cross who suffers from separation anxiety alongside reactivity to other dogs, so she isn’t the most easygoing dog in the world. That doesn’t stop her from being really caring and affectionate though, and she absolutely adores people.

She absolutely adores people

When she first came home, she found it quite difficult to adjust. My husband had to sleep downstairs with her every night because she was so anxious. But now, a year later, she is so much better. She still has her anxieties, but that’s what makes her who she is and we wouldn’t change her for the world.

Molly comes with us whenever we volunteer at SHAK to visit all of her old friends and spread some hope. We couldn’t love her anymore.

Soldier is always inspiring Vicky with his determination to live a normal life, despite his disability

Soldier amazes me on a daily basis because he lives life as if he’s ‘normal’. Our story together started when he was just five weeks old. He was born with a spinal defect and couldn’t use his hind legs normally, so he wasn’t able to walk.

As I own a canine hydrotherapy centre with physiotherapists, we thought we could help. However, after weeks and weeks of hard work, Soldier still couldn’t walk normally. So eventually we decided to have a set of wheels made in America that were specially measured for him. Twelve months later, he is now on his big boy wheels and doing amazingly. He can use his back legs sporadically, which helps him move along at some speed!

All I see is a dog full of light who’s just living his best life

Soldier absolutely loves his independence on wheels. He keeps up with our other dogs with absolutely no problems. When he comes out on walks, he never gets left behind and is definitely the happiest boy I’ve come across!

Some people pass us and tut or say ‘poor dog’ but all I see is a dog full of light who doesn’t know any different and is just living his best life. He runs through fields and woodlands, and paddles in rivers and lakes. He still loves to swim too – I just put him in a life jacket, lift him out of his wheels and let him go.

Soldier won’t have a long life, but we make the most of every day together. And for as long as he’s not in pain, he’ll continue to be my superhero!