Medal for therapy dog Max
A SPANIEL who provided virtual therapy to people across the world in 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 today.
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.”
Max’s owner Kerry Irving, 46, credits the dog with giving him a “reason to live” after a road traffic accident left him with severe depression. Kerry began to record their adventures on Facebook page Max Out in the Lakes which had a worldwide response, and he had Max trained as a therapy visit dog.
Since 2017, Max has met more than 10,000 people through meetand-greets, walks, appearances and school visits and helped to raise nearly £300,000 for charities.