‘Great companion’ Tribute to therapy dog

A beloved blind therapy dog which helped people across the Chichester area for more than a decade has been remembered by its owner as a ‘great companion’.

Fox-red labrador Evie, one of the longest-serving therapy dogs in the country, had to be put down at the age of 13 on January 25 after developing a liver tumor.

Retired Salvation Army officer Alexandra Hughes, from Bracklesham Bay, said: “I firmly believe we were meant to be together. We were inseparable.

“We shared a very close bond right from day one. She was very gentle but could be mischievous and full of fun. She was a great companion. “She’s helped so many people in her lifetime. I miss her so much. As a Christian, I believe I will see her again.” Evie was a member of Therapy Dogs Nationwide, a charity where volunteers take their own dogs into establishments to give comfort, distraction and stimulation.

Alexandra said a number of dogs have been influenced by Evie, who came runner up in the National Therapy Dog Of The Year awards in 2018 and won a pets hero award in 2020 for helping save people from the sea.

Alexandra, who is hoping to find a publisher for her book about Evie’s life, said: “It was very rewarding, visiting the hospital, nursing homes, schools for special needs children and centres for adults with learning disabilities and helping people overcome dog phobias and visiting people with dementia.

“[We helped] stressed students at Chichester University and Evie regularly attended my church with me at Bognor Regis Salvation Army. We shared a special ministry.

“She went blind three or four years ago but she still ran on the beach with her ball.” Swimmers thanked after saving therapy dog in Bosham

During lockdown, visits of therapy dogs have been restricted so Alexandra improvised by sharing daily, live videos of Evie on her Facebook page: Evie

The Blind Therapy Dog’s Adventures.