Lexi came into Frank’s life after he suffered a stroke five years ago, and since then she’s made even his darkest days that little bit brighter

I’ve been a dog lover since I was a kid. I grew up with at least one Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound or Miniature Schnauzer always around. But my wife was not a dog-lover, nor had she grown up with any pets. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would not be having any dogs in my married life.

Five years ago, I had a stroke. It came out of the blue and suddenly my life was turned upside down. Two months afterwards, my wife had one of these ‘lightbulb moments’ and thought getting a dog would be good for my recovery. In life, when there is a window of opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands, so I certainly didn't argue! A few weeks later, we brought home the most gorgeous Jack Russell puppy, who we decided to name Lexi.

She helps alleviate my stress and anxiety on those dark days

Lexi has been a hugely positive influence in my life. She’s a loyal companion who’s always there for me. When my wife is working and our children are at school, Lexi is the one who gets me through the days. Every day comes with its own challenges for me. My life is governed by my stroke fatigue, but Lexi gets me out of bed and walking.

Often, if we haven't been out, Lexi will still try to get me to move my legs by dropping a tennis ball at my feet, encouraging me to kick the ball so she can fetch it. She helps alleviate my stress and anxiety on those dark days and gives me confidence that things can get better. She also knows when I freeze up, so if I stay in the same position without moving my face or body, she starts barking at me.

She’s loved by everyone in the house, including my wife. When we got Lexi, my wife was adamant that she would strictly be a downstairs dog. Today, not only is Lexi allowed in the bedroom, but she spends most nights sleeping on our bed! And our children can’t stop kissing and tickling her.

My stroke has been challenging for everyone in our house, but Lexi has been the silver lining that comes with every cloud! She has brought immense joy to us all and is a reminder that light can come out of darkness.

Freddie loves to work and play, making him an all-round star in Charlotte’s eyes

This is my lovely boy, Freddie. He's a Labradoodle and I've had him since he was a puppy.

Freddie is a therapy dog and works mainly with further education students (16-25-year-olds). He has the best temperament you could hope for, and the students love seeing him! This week, he’s been very busy helping to calm those last-minute exam nerves.

He’s made an impact on so many people’s lives

When he's not working, he's just an amazing pet. He loves other animals and especially loves playing with other dogs (Labradors are his favourite). His guilty pleasure is finding something smelly to roll in and we frequently need a quick shower after a walk in the park!

He’s great company, so well behaved, and gets to go out on lots of nice day trips to visit dog-friendly places. He's made such an impact on so many people's lives – he really doesn't know how special he is!

For owner Jacqueline and family, Bella has proved to be the best companion they could’ve hoped for

Bella is an amazing girl. I waited almost three years for her from her breeder, and it was a bittersweet moment that the day we were to pick her up was the day our old horse died unexpectedly.

She's a real family friend

She gave us something to focus on. She's a real family friend and is gentle and adored by our grandchildren, who have one of her puppies, now 5. Bella has accompanied my husband to work in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit, and has proven that a non-judgemental smiling Goldie is the best medicine.

She loves visitors, but she is a great watch dog, loving nothing better than to sit on the chair by the window and watch the world go by. Like a lot of Goldies, she mumbles and mutters, saving that method of communication for her human friends. She has been a fantastic foundation bitch for me, although now retired (she had two litters) her children and grandchildren share her amazing temperament.

Chester started life as a lockdown puppy and ended up in a rescue centre at a very young age, but now he’s getting the lifetime of love he deserves thanks to Ezza

I was looking online to find volunteering vacancies in local animal shelters when I saw Chester’s photo on the Irlam rescue centre website. I was surprised to see such a young dog in a shelter already.

It turns out that he was lockdown dog – someone bought him, played with him as a puppy during lockdown and then dropped him off to the shelter when he became an inconvenience. His behavioural and health problems indicated physical abuse too. I couldn’t help it, I had to adopt him, even though I wasn’t really looking to get a dog in the first place.

I couldn’t help it, I had to adopt him

From the minute he got home, he did everything he could to fit in and thank me. He would come and lick my hand after every meal, he would jump around happily every time I said ‘walkies’, and he’d give me little kisses when he was happy. He also learnt to be quiet when I worked from home. Now he will just chill until 5pm without disturbing me, and appear when I finish work to remind me he’s ready for fun.

A couple of weeks after I got him, his harness broke when we were on a walk and he started running towards the street off the leash. I thought ‘that’s it, he’s gone’, as that was a very busy street and I couldn’t chase after him because I had injured my knee recently.

I stood there not knowing what to do as we had only known each other for a few weeks back then. But then something magic happened – he turned around and came back to me. He sat down, looked at me and stayed there still until I got him back on the leash. I knew then that it was meant to be.

Whether he’s snoring, licking or running, Rocco brings love and laughter to Claire and her family

If you've ever wondered what it's like to have a tiny, snorting bundle of joy glued to your side, let me introduce you to Rocco, our French Bulldog. We rescued him during the pandemic over three years ago, and life hasn't been the same since – in the best way possible, of course.

Rocco is like a little furry therapist, minus the fees. He's got this knack for making even the dreariest days bright with his quirky habits and boundless affection. Take his snoring, for example. Some might find it annoying, but to me, it's like a white noise machine with a heartbeat. There's something oddly comforting about knowing he's snoozing away nearby, dreaming of fields and footballs.

Ah, the footballs. You should see him in action! For a dog with legs as short as his, Rocco can sprint across a field like he's auditioning for the next World Cup. He chases that ball with a passion that could put any professional footballer to shame. And when he's not being an athletic superstar, he's a world-class cuddler. Whether I'm watching TV, working on my laptop, or just sitting on the couch, Rocco is right there, either at my feet or attempting to lick my legs like they're a five-star meal.

If you ever need a reminder that love can transform, just spend a day with Rocco

Rocco's past wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. He wasn't treated well in his last home, which makes his love and trust even more special. He's come to adore his new family life with us – my husband Mark, our two boys Finlay and Ted, and his sausage dog brother, River. Yes, that's right, Rocco has a sausage dog brother. Together, they form the dynamic duo of cuteness and chaos.

One of Rocco's favourite activities is heading to the beach. Picture this: a French Bulldog running through the sand, ears flopping, tail wagging, pure joy on his face. It's a sight that never fails to make us laugh. And when we're all together, away in our caravan, Rocco's happiness reaches new heights. He loves being surrounded by his people, and his contentment is contagious.

In short, Rocco is more than just a pet; he's a positive influence, a constant companion, and a source of endless entertainment. From his snoring symphonies to his enthusiastic leg-licking, Rocco has brought immeasurable joy into our lives. And if you ever need a reminder that love can transform, just spend a day with Rocco. He'll show you how it's done, one wag and one snore at a time.

StreetVet is a veterinary charity that offers free accessible vet care for the pets of those experiencing homelessness. Co-founder Jade Statt shares this incredible story

Set up four years ago by two vets with a backpack, StreetVet has since grown into a charity with hundreds of veterinary volunteers with boots on the ground outreaching in 17 different locations across the UK.

But despite this rapid growth, the ethos remains the same – to do everything we can to keep our clients and their pets together and preserve the human animal bond. In many cases this bond is the only thing that sustains a homeless person, and sometimes it is this same bond that can turn their lives around.

As the co-founder of the charity, I am reminded on a daily basis of why I wanted to set up StreetVet in the first place. As is often the case, it was a chance encounter, but an encounter that would change the course of my life.

At the time I was dealing with the prospect of losing one of the true loves of my life – my geriatric Labrador and soul mate through some tough times, Oakley. Oakley had just been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and it was while I was dealing with this news that I encountered Dave and his dog Brick.

Brick was suffering from itchy sore skin. This was something I knew I could help with and as Dave and I talked dogs, the anxiety he felt about accessing veterinary care was notable. As I walked away I had one clear thought, what would I have done if I was in that position with Oakley?

I knew that if I’d what I needed in my bag, I could have helped Brick and for me that was where StreetVet was born – from my own bond with Oakley and Dave’s connection to Brick. Having now worked with countless homeless clients, I wouldn't hesitate to say that in my 18 years as a vet, the most symbiotic and profound relationships I have been privileged to witness, have been through StreetVet.

These are the special relationships which truly embody the human animal bond, a bond best expressed by a selection of clients StreetVet has been supporting throughout the coronavirus crisis.

What dogs mean

"If I was separated from my dog it would kill me. I've had no mental support since 2014 but my dog is my main mental health support. I'd rather risk my life in a pandemic than be separated from my dog." – Mick talking about his dog Benson.

"When you are stood there hungry and people are walking by like you don't exist, my dog gives me a role. It's like having another heartbeat that is on your side. It's company, he's all the family I have got. He's my moral support. He is everything." – Andy about his dog Bailey.

The words are different but the sentiment is the same; companion animals make a difficult life worth living. In a lonely and often brutal world, the pets of homeless people provide companionship, security, warmth and unconditional love.

StreetVet clients often refer to their pet as their family and I am in no doubt pet ownership enhances our clients social, physical and emotional health. They provide a sense of routine, responsibility, an identity – even a reason to live. But owning a pet on the streets comes at a cost.

As well as the restrictions put on our clients when it comes to mobility, owning a dog can often prevent access to soup kitchens, healthcare and hostel rooms. Imagine being told to choose between a roof over your head or your pet. It’s a choice none of us would want to make, but with only 10 percent of homeless hostels in the UK accepting pets, it's one facing StreetVet's clients every day.

The fact our clients almost always choose to stay on the street and refuse to relinquish their pet is one of the most powerful examples of the human animal connection at work. This is why we are launching the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme, a project that aims to increase the number of UK hostels that are willing to accept pets. This is the next step in the StreetVet story...

Nicki and Bruno’s story

Bruno is Nicki’s everything. She calls him ‘her world’ and they’ve been through a lot, sharing experiences of bereavement and homelessness amongst others and being the reason that Nicki has pushed on through to the next day. Bruno is a StreetVet patient and is a firm favourite with the team.

Having slept at the bottom of Nicki’s sleeping bag when they were on the street, he now takes delight in sharing her bed in their hostel room, buried firmly under the duvet, snoring away! He loves sunshine and soaks it up whenever the opportunity arises, as well as going for his walks along the waterfront watching the boats and ships go by. This much-loved happy chap is Nicki’s protector, companion, counsellor and best friend. He gives her so much and it is a real treat to witness the bond between these two souls.

Andy and Sasha’s story

"Sasha has been my world for the last seven years. I have never known a dog to show so much love and affection like she has. She spent time living in a tent with me and her brother Max, who passed away a few weeks ago. She was gutted, you could just tell by her demeanour. Sasha is a very happy dog always got a wag on her tail and lives to meet new people. She is one of the best dogs I have ever had and if it wasn't for Max and Sasha I don’t know where I would be today."

Dan and Sir Lancelot’s story

The companionship and interaction that my dog offers me is very different from my human interaction. Although humans communicate with speech, it has its limitations. Humans struggle to say the right words and the right thing when what we really need is the support to simply be there for each other. Dogs cannot talk, yet are superior in detecting the feelings of humans and are simply there when it is required. My dog offers me a level of speech that words do not; a level of communication, companionship that is deeper and more satisfying that at times human interaction just simply cannot.

Kevin and Diamond’s story

I rescued Diamond from central London about three or four years ago. Then we came back to Windsor. Diamond is a bit of a character like myself. Diamond was really shy and scared. She used to sleep at the bottom of my sleeping bag. Eventually as, time went by on the streets, Diamond got to know everyone – and everyone knows Diamond. Now all the kids love to say ‘ello!’

We moved into our first home together about six months ago. She’s ok with it, but prefers to be on the streets, meeting people. Whenever Diamond needs to see the vets, StreetVet have always been there. The girls are brilliant with her. Sometimes Diamond gets worried when she sees them, but when the treats come out, Diamond’s attitude changes and she goes all soppy with them. We don’t know what we would do without them.

Al and Rocksta*’s story

This is the first picture of Rocksta* I took and thought ‘looking good boy!’ This was the first spring after the summer that we became Rocksta* and the fatman. He had so many friends at this time, from road sweeper Roysiff, one-eyed Will, and Father David. Rocksta* has many good friends, from the gutters of the street, to the penthouses of Persia. Every second is a good time with Rocksta*. I do believe not only did he save my mind and my freedom; he also saved me from myself.

A poem by Stacey for Bella and Brandy

Listen close for I need to say
My girls mean the world to me in every single way,
They hold a place within my heart
That only the special can fill,
They show much love and definitely don’t judge,
The wrong things I may do,
But choose instead to stand by my side
And helped to see me through,
Their praise for a small success
They never fail to show
And even when I don’t achieve their encouragement helps me so,
They say two is company and three a crowd
But three formed our family
With love so pure I’d never found,
There’s no words or numbers out there that can compare
Just what they mean to me and more when no one’s there,
We can now stop looking for love from far and beyond
For now we are a family with an unbreakable bond.

To find out more, head over to www.streetvet.org.uk