Merlin may not be an official assistance dog, but he goes above and beyond for Fiona every single day

Merlin is a very friendly and good-natured Black Labrador. He’s also extremely helpful, and likes to assist his Aunt Scatty (our neighbour) clean out the stable. He follows her up and down the paddock whenever she’s going to the trailer, keen to be of use in any way he can.

As my unofficial assistance dog, Merlin helps my husband Darren care for me. He fetches him when he thinks I need a hand and always looks after me when I fall. He loves to be there for me, picking up things when I drop them and carrying my stuff around the house.

Merlin is my companion and my best friend

My medical problems and disabilities mean that I spend a lot of time resting and confined to my bed. You can always find Merlin curled up on the end, keeping me company. Sometimes, he shares the role with Sammy the cat so he can have a break. Merlin is my companion and my best friend. Most importantly, he knows when I’m upset and always gives me extra kisses and cuddles to make me feel better.

Darren is diabetic, and so Merlin likes to look after him too. He’s quicker than we are to pick up on his low blood sugar, and always knows when Darren needs his medicine – often, he’s the one reminding me!

Merlin is very caring and affectionate, but he can also be a little scamp. He loves putting his cold nose in your ear and trying to give you a bath. He also likes to lend a paw whenever he can, and can often be found helping out with DIY jobs around the house. When he’s not assisting us in our day-to-day lives, Merlin enjoys running around outside and playing with his favourite toy, Bertie Bunny.

Despite everything life’s thrown at him, Louise’s dog Geezer always finds a way to stay optimistic

Geezer came into our lives last September. We found him at our local RSPCA centre and instantly fell in love with his infectious zest for life. He may only have three legs, but this doesn’t stop him from doing all the things he enjoys, usually at full speed!

His infectious zest for life

Our dog has taught us no matter how tough life can be, there is always a brighter day coming. He may stumble sometimes but he always gets backup, with a smile on his face and a wagging tail.

Mac is constantly making his owner Grace laugh with his hilarious antics

Mac is a two-year-old Golden Retriever and he is the most wonderful boy. He loves toys, especially stuffed animals. His favourites include a shark, a teddy bear, two hedgehogs, two sheep plus many more.

He loves toys, especially stuffed animals

Whenever someone comes to our front door, Mac always greets them witha toy, regardless of whether they want it or not. He’s got such a friendly nature that he insists we say hello to all of the dogs and people we see on our walks. He also adores running, sliding and rolling around outside, particularly when it’s snowy or if he’s near the water.

Working from home has been a strange adjustment but having Mac around has made it so much easier, and he gives me the motivation I need to carry on each day. It’s amazing the difference a happy dog can make to your life. Mac is a bundle of joy.

From the moment Deborah adopted him, Pepe the Chihuahua has slotted perfectly into her life – and her handbag!

Pepe is a joy. I was living alone before I got him, and it was just a bit lonely. It had been a couple of years since my previous dog had passed away, and I had been on the fence about whether to get another dog. If I did, I knew it would have to be the right one.

He is the sweetest, friendliest and quietest dog I’ve known

In the end, picking Pepe was a bit of a whirlwind. I adopted him from a family who had other big dogs where Pepe (as a Chihuahua) was getting trampled. Unlike many Chihuahuas, he is the sweetest, friendliest and quietest dog I’ve known. He’s happy to meet everyone, children and adults alike, and he’s always curious about other dogs – if a little nervous around the bouncy ones. I don’t blame him!

He’s fitted into my life perfectly. He’ll hop in a bag and come into the shops with me, chill out in the office at work, travel on adventures with me in the campervan, and sleep while I’m working from home. It sounds cliché, but he literally gives me a reason to smile every single day, and I just hope he feels the same.

As Lynn and her family settle into a new life, Winnie has been helping them socialise more

We adopted Winnie after she was rescued for crying at nine weeks old. She’s a very funny and outgoing dog who thinks she’s a celebrity and expects everyone who walks past her to acknowledge how pretty she is (or she will make a strange noise at them!). She also hates getting her feet wet and prefers to sleep under a duvet.

She has made a very positive difference in our lives

Winnie helped us to get out every day and meet other dog walkers and villagers, who have now become firm friends – and many of the elderly residents now carry dog biscuits in their pockets in case they see her. She has made a very positive difference in our lives and helped us settle into our new chapter in the North East, where we didn’t know anyone.

Brave, loyal and the best teammate, Leri gives Katy a lot to be proud of

Lerihas recently retired from his role as a Protection Dog for the British Army. I first met him when he was two years old, after he had been postedto my unit fresh out of training. He was my first Military Working Dog and together, we guided each other through.

We guided each other through

We absolutely smashed our last licensing, and were awarded an advancedpass, something that has not been achieved in more than ten years at my unit. I have learnt so much from Leri and I’m honoured to have been able to take him home at the end of his service. I owe him all that life can give and I love him so much.He’s my big, slobbery, brave boy!