Lavender always puts students at ease when she sits in on Lauren’s school therapy sessions

I am a therapist working in a secondary school. Lavender has been working alongside me for a year, providing emotional support (in the form of cuddles, companionship and licks) to the teenagers that I see. It has been amazing seeing how transformative her presence is. Therapy can be very intense and daunting, and having Lavender in the room can be a real comfort for those who are finding it difficult for any number of reasons.

She is incredibly intelligent

At home, we enjoy lots of lovely walks and playtime together, where she can relax and have fun. She is incredibly intelligent, and we love to learn new tricks. Lavender is very food motivated (typical Lab!) and loves to sit by me when I’m preparing dinner in the hopes that some carrot or courgette will find their way to her.

She is precious to me, and I couldn’t imagine life without her. She has had such a wonderful impact on so many people just by being her silly, loving and affectionate self.

Whether he’s making them laugh or helping them recover from surgery, Riley is always there for Abbigail and her family

My dog Riley is the love of my life. From the moment we met him, he was so quirky. He tried to run off down the farm rather than say hello to his new owners, but he still fell asleep in our laps on the way home.

He is such a lovable dog, always asking for attention or cuddles and he plays just like a toddler! He’s helped our family through so much. For instance, when he was a puppy, I had broken my arm and he helped it heal quicker because I was so eager to play with him that I started regaining the use of the muscles I’d lost. So much so that I didn’t even need physio after healing because Riley had already helped me gain my muscle back.

He’s helped our family through so much

My mom has also had major surgery twice and both times he was there for her, cuddling her and being gentle when she comes home, and watching her every move when she is ill – this includes warning everyone about the postman!

He sounds like a very large dog from his bark but anyone who has met Riley would know he’s very lovable. All he wants to do is say hello and give cuddles to anyone. He is so special and a big part of our family. He gets gifts at Christmas and on his birthday and signs cards for the rest of the family for their birthdays. He is always so energetic and happy, which just makes you smile. Riley is my positive outlook on the world, and I don’t know where I would be without him.

Pixie is the perfect companion for her owner Rebecca

Pixie is one of a kind.

She’s the best friend I could ask for

In fact, she’s more cat than dog. She loves nothing more than spending her days stretching out in the sunshine, relaxing or prowling around the garden. But, when it comes to bedtime, all she wants is a cuddle! She’s the best friend I could ask for.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Thelma has changed Debbie’s life, allowing her to regain her confidence.

My dog gave me my life back. I suffer from Anxiety and Depression and a few years ago, I couldn't speak and didn’t leave the house. My dad found an opportunity to train dogs for a charity, so I plucked up the courage and applied. A few months later a little eight-week-old Golden Retriever called Thelma came into our lives. She was a cute, golden ball of fluff who quickly melted our hearts. She is the best thing to ever happen to me.

Made our lives so much better!

Her smiley face and silly ways have brought us all so much joy. She alerts me when I'm having an anxiety attack by nudging me and giving me a cuddle, which really calms me down. This has helped me to leave the house on my own and find my voice again, because when I’m with her people don’t want to talk to me – it’s Thelma they’re interested in!

Thelma is the most happy, caring and loving dog you will ever meet, and she’ll always give you lots of kisses! She loves eating (who doesn't?) and helping people. She can pick things up for me, put things in the washer and out again and even does the dusting.

Everyone that meets her agrees she’s an amazing dog. Without her, I wouldn’t have a job or be where I am in life today. She’s changed my whole world and I couldn’t be without her.

When Christie was reunited with her dog Kadiki, she was overfilled with joy

My miniature Pinscher flew to London from Zimbabwe last month, but before then, I hadn’t seen her for a year. Her name, Kadiki, means small in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. She may be tiny, but with her huge personality and diva attitude, she never gets a hard time from any of the bigger dogs

I hadn’t seen her in a year

Kadiki has overcome so much, and I’m so proud of the kind and loving soul she istoday. She is my whole world, and I’m so happy to have her back!

As a Tibetan Terrier, Teddy’s unlike any of Michelle’s previous dogs, but she loves him more than words can express

I grew up with dogs, as did my husband. So, when we got married, we decided we wanted to get our own dog. My husband had grown up with Tibetan Terriers and said we had to get one. I’d never heard of the breed, but I did a bit of research, found a breeder and Teddy came along in August 2019. He totally changed our lives!

Everyone says their dog is the best, but I know mine really is

Teddy is stubborn, fussy, wonderfully intelligent, independent, loving on his own terms, funny, playful, and full of character. He’s almost human and loves being outside – he’d probably live outside if I let him!

He’s the total opposite to the dogs I had growing up, but I wouldn’t change him for the world, and I’d never get a different breed now. I can’t put into words how much I love my furry boy. He’s loved so much, and he knows it! Everyone says their dog is the best, but I know mine really is.