Top dog Max earns special reward
A SPANIEL who provided virtual therapy to people across the world during the pandemic is being awarded the animal equivalent of an OBE.
Max, a 13-year-old English springer spaniel and social media star from the Lake District, will be awarded the Order of Merit by veterinary charity PDSA for his outstanding contribution to society at a virtual ceremony. PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: “Max has provided a source of huge comfort – not only to his owner Kerry, but to thousands of people across the globe who are facing or have gone through hard times. He has become a true ambassador for the positive impact animals have on mental health and wellbeing, which is more important now than ever. “Max’s owner Kerry Irving, 46, credits the dog with giving him a “reason to live” after a road traffic accident left him unable to walk and with severe depression. The keen amateur photographer began to record their adventures on Facebook page Max Out in the Lakes. After hundreds of requests from Facebook fans who wanted to meet Max, in 2016 Mr Irving had him trained as a therapy dog so he could make visits to schools, hospitals and hospices.