Garry Botterill CF

Just over a month ago, we co-hosted the Service Dog Conference & Awards alongside our colleagues and friends, the wonderful @ServiceDogsUK. It was a celebration of our remarkable working dogs, in the countless ways they enrich, support, and save human lives. From across the emergency services, the police, prison, fire & rescue, to the dogs who live to assist and help their families - assistance dogs, medical alert dogs, therapy dogs, companion dogs - every aspect was represented and it was marvellous. The Awards Dinner, hosted by @TomGaymor was beautiful and poignant, with every nominee receiving a memento of the event, and every winner receiving their much-deserved medal. This fabulous video shows just a flavour of the evening, made by the talented @CotswoldTV - and we are so grateful to Tom. He always perfectly captures the moments which have meant a great deal to everyone there. (Best videographer and filmmaker in the UK - in our humble opinion!) Our thanks to @Jollyestweets - - @DogsTrust - and all the other sponsors, as well as @PipTomson, who spoke at the conference and then helped present the awards. Thank you to everyone who made it such a special day and night. Memories made and next year to look forward to. Huge congratulations to the winners!

Part 2. The NFRSA, alongside @ServiceDogsUK, hosted the second annual Service Dogs Conference and Awards this week - our second reel shows the highlights of the Gala Awards Dinner, and what a night it was. The stories were incredibly moving and each winner took home a medal, and every finalist received a beautiful framed print to mark their achievement. We are very grateful to our headline sponsor @Jollyestweets as well as our bronze sponsors @DogsTrust and Liz Gill Mortgages. Brilliantly MC’d by @TomGaymor - photographed by @VicPictoria and filmed by @CotswoldTV - all of whom donated their time and talents, just amazing. A night to remember, celebrating the remarkable role dogs play in our lives. Congratulations to every finalist, a huge thank you to the judges (not easy) and we look forward to seeing you next year. Details and dates to be revealed soon! Thank you all for being with us.

Part 1. Wow - what a day! We were delighted to co-host the Service Dogs Conference and Awards 2026 alongside our friends @ServiceDogsUKz. Attended by inspirational speakers Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton Chief Fire Officer of @HantsIOW_fire Author & Psychologist - @PipTomson - Dog Trainer to the Stars - Royal Veterinary Army Corps - Chloe Hammond & Ocho - and Peter Sage - who educated, moved, and enlightened delegates. Follow- or check back to see part 2 - the awards! All these stunning pics were captured by @VicPictoria and we are incredibly grateful as Victoria has done it from a place of love - making all her photographs available to everyone who attended at no charge. We are devoted to her. 💜

🏅🐾 Congratulations to our two finalists for the Military Dog Medal of Honour! Service Dogs UK @ServiceDogsUK We are proud to celebrate two remarkable Military Working Dogs whose courage, skill and commitment have made a real difference. 🐾 Military Working Dog Paul – A five-year-old English Springer Spaniel and Arms and Explosives Search Dog with the Royal Air Force Police, Paul completed over four years of service and more than 75 high-profile operational tasks. He supported major events including The King’s Coronation, royal and ministerial visits, and was responsible for six confirmed finds of explosives, weapons and ammunition. Paul and his handler were also awarded the prestigious Lady Kemball Trophy. Following an injury sustained during operational duties, Paul was sadly forced to retire, bringing an outstanding career to an early end. ❤️ 🐾 Military Working Dog Twitter – Twitter showed incredible bravery during a deployment to Paris in July 2024. While searching a complex area ahead of a major rowing event, she fell approximately 4–5 metres and suffered a serious elbow injury. Despite her injuries, Twitter remained calm and cooperative throughout her emergency treatment. Following surgery and further treatment in the UK, her injury was sadly found to be irreparable and she underwent an amputation. Her resilience throughout her recovery is a true reflection of the spirit of a Military Working Dog. ❤️ Two remarkable dogs, two inspiring stories and two very deserving finalists. 🏅🐾 Read their full stories here: servicedogsuk.org/uksdca-mil…

Meet the finalists for the Lifetime Achievement Medal of Honour! 🐾🏅⁠ ⁠ We are incredibly proud to introduce our three finalists for the Lifetime Achievement Medal of Honour, which will be presented by our Platinum sponsor, Jollyes Pets, at the UK Service Dogs Conference & Awards.⁠ ⁠ Homer – Rescued from the streets of Dumfries, Homer went on to enjoy an incredible 10.5-year career with HMPPS as a Drug and Alcohol Detection Dog. Affectionately known as the “Hooch King”, he helped uncover more than 6,000 litres of illegally brewed alcohol and over 1,420 recorded finds across 40+ establishments.⁠ ⁠ Jarvis – For more than a decade, Jarvis served as a live scent K9 with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and National Resilience, attending major incidents including building collapses and explosions. He also supported UK International Search and Rescue and continues to leave his mark by helping prepare his successor.⁠ ⁠ Quga – During six years with Merseyside Police, Quga repeatedly showed extraordinary courage, confronting violent and armed offenders while protecting officers and the public. Despite sustaining injuries, she returned to duty and was recognised with two Chief Constable’s Commendations and the Chief Constable’s Community First Award.⁠ ⁠ Three remarkable dogs, whose careers span prisons, policing, fire and rescue, national resilience and international search and rescue. Each has made an outstanding contribution through years of dedication, courage and service, leaving a lasting legacy that goes far beyond their operational achievements.⁠ ⁠ Read their full stories and discover more about this year’s finalists here:⁠ servicedogsuk.org/uksdca-lif…⁠ ⁠ Join us next month to celebrate our incredible finalists and winners! Get your tickets now and be part of this special event: donorbox.org/events/906558/s… @Jollyestweets @ServiceDogsUK

It’s time to meet our Assistance Dog Medal of Honour finalists! 🐾🏅 We’re incredibly proud to introduce the three outstanding partnerships shortlisted for the @ServiceDogsUK Conference & Awards, Assistance Dog Medal of Honour. Larry – Luke and his PTSD Assistance Dog, Larry, have built a partnership that has helped Luke return to meaningful work with the London Ambulance Service. Larry offers the stability and reassurance Luke needs to thrive in a demanding environment, helping him continue making an important contribution to the service and the patients it supports. Mae – Medical Alert Dog Mae has transformed Laura’s life, alerting her to impending fainting episodes and giving her the confidence and security to live more freely. With Mae by her side, Laura has achieved her PhD and continues to pursue the life she wants with greater freedom and confidence. Nieve – Nieve has changed Emily’s life, delivering reliable medical alerts and helping her regain control after years of intensive medical care. Today, Emily can work, travel and enjoy everyday experiences, while using her lived experience to advocate for assistance dog handlers through her work with Assistance Dogs UK. Together, these remarkable stories demonstrate the extraordinary difference an assistance dog can make — offering practical support alongside confidence, security and the freedom to live life to the fullest. Find out more about their journeys: servicedogsuk.org/uksdca-ass… Join us this October as we recognise these incredible teams, celebrate their achievements and honour the life-changing impact of assistance dogs: donorbox.org/events/906558/s…