Woof & Well Award 2023

July 24th 2024

A Yorkshire Terrier/Bichon Frise cross and his owner are beaming after becoming one of the winners of our national award celebrating the powerful bond between dogs and their humans.  

Their inspiring story reveals how one furmiddable little dog saved his owner, persistently pushing her through chronic illness and a crisis of mental health.

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.

Louise Jacobs, 34, from Colchester, Essex, adopted 11-year-old Teddy Bear in 2012 when he was just 3 months old.

“I think he just chose me.” says Louise, with a big smile on her face.

While many dog owners might lay claim to a fateful meeting with their furry friend, few can match the staggering £50,000 Louise and Teddy Bear have raised for various charities throughout the years.

“We’ve raised money for over 20 charities.” says Louise. “Typically, we work with smaller charities as they really rely on the funding. We’ve worked for Scruffy’s Angels, National Animal Welfare Trust in Clacton, Benidorm Dog Homing and Essex Horse & Pony Protection Society just to name just a few!”

With no intention of slowing down, Louise and Teddy Bear have four more shows lined up, looking to give 2023 a pawsitive send off.

Before Louise and Teddy Bear met, Louise was suffering with major depression. Life took a turn for the worse when Louise’s physical health also began to decline leading to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain illness which makes day to day tasks nearly impossible. Teddy Bear swept in like the “angel” he is and truly saved Louise’s day and many thereafter.

“I have taught Teddy Bear so many tricks and he’s so helpful,” says Louise. “He can help me take clothing off, open doors, pick things up for me and lots more. Teddy Bear has completely changed my life.”

Louise and Teddy Bear’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 year’s supply of Vet’s Kitchen dog food and be presented with the coveted Woof and Well engraved bronze medal!

 “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. Louise and Teddy Bear’s entry is testimony to this powerful bond and the world of difference a dog can make to people’s lives. We can learn a lot from Teddy Bear!”

The competition judging was led by Courtney Weaver-Ennis who is Head Vet at Vet’s Klinic, Reading, one of Vet’s Kitchen’s revolutionary in-house veterinary practices. She says, “Louise has overcome many hurdles which life continues to throw to her but Teddy Bear has helped her in extraordinary ways, not to mention then amount of money they have raised for various charities over the past 11 years. He is hero in her eyes and ours.” 

Becoming a Woof and Well winner, Louise reflects on her and Teddy Bear’s time together. “I honestly believe I wouldn’t be here if it were not for him. I owe him everything, he’s my little angel in disguise.”