Berkshire pooches bag prizes at the Animal Star Awards

THE ANIMAL Star Awards praised prize pets and their owners on Saturday, March 5.

The awards event, which has been held annually since 2016, announced its winners from more than 600 nominations across 13 categories.

Sarah Jones, from Binfield, took home Best Pet Related Business for her company My Anxious Dog.

Founded by Ms Jones in 2012, My Anxious Dog provides space awareness products for dogs.

The products are designed to help owners keep their dogs safe and well by raising awareness of anxiety and distress that dogs may have.

The bright, wearable accessories include leads, rain coats, collars, and harnesses which alert passers by that a dog may be anxious or reactive to strangers.

Ms Jones founded the company after her own dog, a cocker spaniel named Bella, was attacked by another dog as a puppy, leaving her fearful of other dogs.

She was inspired by the use of yellow ribbons to denote an anxious dog, and has since created a day of national awareness, Yellow Day, on March 20.

The Animal Therapist of the Year was awarded to Donna Wills for her work with Animal Physiotherapy.

Founded by Wills in 2005, the company works to provide physiotherapy treatment and mobility aids for animals, emotional support, and education on how physical therapy can be beneficial.

Ms Wills has worked to open multiple clinics across the south, but now focuses her time in Bracknell and Swindon.

She has also filmed a puppy massage dvd, which shows owners how to give therapy to their pets.

She said that she loves rehabilitation work, “as it gives owners and dogs the best healing outcomes,

“Seeing a dog go from hobbling, to wanting to play and trotting again fills my heart with joy.

“The oldies deserve it the most as they have given the whole of their lives to loving and caring for their furparents so then it’s our turn to give them something back,

“It reduces pain and their faces are so grateful.”

The Rescue Animal of the Year award went to Jack, a labrador-cross from Hare Hatch, Berkshire.

Skinny and unable to walk due to his legs being fused to his back, Jack was taken in by Niki Roe, a dog behaviourist.

Ms Roe works with Pukka Pups and Friends of Animals Wales to rehabilitate dogs, and is beginning Jack’s therapy to help him walk with the aid of wheels.

Nominations for next year’s Animal Star Awards are now open.