THE LIFE SAVING DOG

Tales abound of dogs who rescue their owners in many ways. BBC’s My Life Saving Dog tells poignant stories of dogs who detect illness, raise the alarm in an emergency – and who keep people alive just by being there.

In a survey of 5,000 British households* two thirds described their dog as a ‘four-legged therapist’. Almost half said having to care for someone other than themselves improved their mental wellbeing.

Jess Gray and her chihuahua have been inseparable since Jess collected Elmo as a puppy in 2021. She’d been diagnosed with cancer at 34 and had undergone a gruelling programme of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and extensive surgery. Ten days after her treatment ended, the COVID -19 pandemic began.

As an emotional support animal Elmo is allowed to go to work with Jess, who is part of Mersey Care and Informatics RiO Development Team. He’s proving popular with colleagues.

TV psychologist Emma Kenny says the report mirrors what she sees in real life.

“I’m finding that many people are currently looking to their dogs as therapeutic companions, a silent member of the household who can always be relied upon to listen, without the fear of judgement, and who can also bring some fun and laughter into our lives.”

“I was terrified. Cancer is a word that you never want to hear. I have a supportive family and great friends, but the treatment makes you feel powerless because you are so ill, and you feel so vulnerable.”

On advice from her counsellor Jess decided to get a dog. Elmo was being sold by his previous owners who were moving and unable to take him.

“They say dogs choose you and I just knew. He jumped up into my arms, lay on his back, and looked up at me. It was a powerful moment.”

Jess is still anxious, but Elmo soothes her fears. “He’s this tiny soul who gives unconditional love. He doesn’t see the scars; he just loves me as I am. My anxiety can be paralysing, but then I think ‘come on, the dog needs walking’. I can become very teary thinking about the past, but he gives me a reason to keep going.”

“People come over to talk about their dogs; some stop by just to see Elmo. It makes me feel less alone too – he’s therapy for us all.”

Elmo has made Jess think in a new way. “Dogs are always mindful, they’re always in the moment. He makes me think the same way – the past is gone, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, now is all we have.”

*Dog Difference Report was compiled in 2020 by tail. com, working with charity partners StreetVet and Dogs for Good.

Find Out More

Pets As Therapy: petsastherapy.org

Therapy Dogs Nationwide: tdn.org.uk

BBC My Life Saving Dog series 7: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/ m001nx54/our-lives-series-7-my-lifesaving-dog