Local hero Polo wins national award

July 24th 2024

A local Labradoodle therapy dog and his owner have won a national award celebrating the powerful bond between dogs and their humans.

Their inspiring story reveals how one dog supports the children and families in his local community.

The Woof and Well Award was launched by healthy pet food company Vet’s Kitchen in recognition of the contribution dogs have made to our health and wellbeing, drawing heartwarming stories of dogs supporting their families and helping others feel better.

Gillian Thompson, 65, from Oakley, Bedford, adopted 13-year-old Polo into her family in 2011 when he was only 20 months old. However, it soon became apparent that this pup had something very special.

“Polo was an unsettled little boy when he arrived, but with time, patience, training and teamwork we were able to address his insecurities,” says Gillian. “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.”

Both Polo and Gillian were then assessed by Pets As Therapy and Polo passed his assessment as a therapy dog with flying colours. Polo was then qualified to go into schools, hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort and support. His real strength, however, was supporting children.

Gillian has worked as a teaching assistant for 26 years at Bedford Girls School and the school was keen to trial the presence of 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,” says Gillian. “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”.

Polo has spent his life from a young dog supporting and bringing joy to the humans around him.

His presence in the school has been invaluable for the children’s mental health and brightening their day. He is quick to pick up on signs of anxiety and his gentle approach calms and restores confidence.

Recalling just one of the many times Polo has come to the rescue, 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!”

“Trotting down the corridor each morning,” says Gillian, “the shout goes up ‘it’s Polo!’ Without a doubt, he puts a smile on everyone’s face – it’s a lovely start to their day!”

Polo and Gillian’s story won hearts at Vet’s Kitchen from all the entries into their Woof and Well award. They will now enjoy a well-deserved dog-friendly family holiday and be presented with the coveted Woof and Well 2022 winner’s trophy.

“We felt it was time to give our dogs recognition for their love and loyalty,” says Laura Shears, MD of Vet’s Kitchen. “Humans and their canine companions have always made for a winning team and reading through the amazing stories we have received, 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 says: “Polo is an amazing little chap who has given so much of himself to help others. He has taught me so much about empathy and how a calm, caring approach can help me through difficult situations. 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.”