A Bedford Labradoodle therapy dog and his owner have been praised after winning a national award celebrating the powerful bond between dogs and their humans.
Polo won the Woof and Well Award in recognition for how he has helped the wellbeing of their owners and others
Owner, Gillian Thompson, 65, from Oakley adopted 13-year-old Polo in 2011 when he was only 20 months old.
Gillian soon realised that Polo wasn’t an ordinary pup and had something very special.
“Very quickly, I realised that Polo had some amazing qualities. He showed great empathy towards humans, particularly when they were in distress. I felt I needed to utilise these qualities.”, she said.
Both Polo and Gillian were assessed by Pets As Therapy and passed with flying colours as a therapy dog.
Soon Polo then went into schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to provide comfort and a cuddle to those who needed it.
Polo especially was gifted in supporting children.
Gillian has worked at Bedford Girls School for 26 years as a teaching assistant, and the school was keen to welcome a therapy dog and Polo has never looked back.
“For the last 10 years, Polo has been coming into school with me each morning and is a highly valued member of staff.
“With his kind, gentle approach, he is able to calm and comfort the children in times of distress. He reassures them with his cuddles and turns their frowns into smiles and dries their tears.”
With the loving pup’s gentle approach, he is quick to pick up signs of anxiety and is able to put the children at ease.
Remembering a time where Polo saved the day, Gillian said: “There was a little girl who was about to take her piano exam
“30 minutes before her exam, her nerves had got the better of her and she became very distressed, refusing to take her exam. Her teacher brought her down for “Polo time.”
After 15 minutes of Polo cuddles, talking through her worries, she calmed down and was smiling again.
“Polo and I walked her to her piano exam, she gave Polo one last cuddle at the door and went in. She played perfectly, gaining a distinction. The magic of Polo had worked again!”
Polo and Gillian’s story won the hearts at Vet’s Kitchen from all the entries into their Woof and Well award.
They will now enjoy a dog-friendly family holiday and be presented with the Woof and Well 2022 winner’s trophy.
The award was launched by healthy pet food company Vet’s Kitchen.
Laura Shears, MD of Vet’s Kitchen said: “We felt it was time to give our dogs recognition for their love and loyalty… it is obvious that our dogs provide an invaluable support.
“Polo and Gillian’s entry is testimony to this powerful bond and the world of difference a dog can make to people’s lives, especially children. We can learn a lot from Polo!”
Gillian ended with “Polo is an amazing little chap who has given so much of himself to help others. Polo and I are a team, and we have a lot of fun together
“We are all so very fortunate to have him in our lives.”
