The annual Hero Dog Award at Crufts celebrates extraordinary dogs who have transformed the lives of their owners.
This year, there are five incredible canines up for the prestigious award - including a special therapy dog who supports her teen owner with cerebral palsy and a firefighting dog who can sniff out arsonists.
Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK's largest dog welfare organisation, selected the inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote.
You can vote for your champion Hero Dog 2022 until midday on Sunday, March 13, by visiting Crufts website.
The winner will be announced by the award's ambassador, Sally Phillips, in the Resorts World Arena at the Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts tomorrow - and win £5,000.
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Here are the four-legged heroes named finalists:
Therapy dog supports young girl with cerebral palsy
Four-year-old golden retriever, Ruby, has a special relationship with 16-year-old Olivia Cunliffe, from Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Olivia has cerebral palsy and Ruby helps her every day with her pain, anxiety and stress. Olivia loves to give her biscuits and Ruby likes to bring her clothes and help in any way she can.
With much of her treatment being pushed back because of Covid, Olivia has also been in a lot of pain, which worsens her involuntary movements.
Ruby helps to calm these movements - she lays with Olivia and tucks herself into her body and relaxes her.
Ruby also actively gets involved in Olivia’s physio and supports her through different challenges, including shielding for over two years during the pandemic.
Suicide prevention dogs helping front-line emergency services
Paramedic Pete Lewin, from Leicestershire, runs a non-profit organisation working with Newfoundland dogs - Storm, Sonar, Bob and Walker - providing water therapy for suicide prevention.
His amazing team provide front-line emergency services and military veterans with support, and help those struggling with their mental health.
Pete said: "These dogs really are life-saver. One guy came to us after he took an overdose. Before swimming with the dogs, he was suicidal, and now he works for the ambulance service.
"Whatever it is that the dogs have got, it is helping people."
Guide dog gave his owner a new lease of life
Three-year-old Golden retriever Milo gave Scott Bailey, from Crewe in Cheshire, his life back after he started losing his sight in 2019.
Scott said: "I lost all confidence and felt I couldn't be the dad my two girls deserved. I was scared and unable to leave the house alone. I went from working outdoors as a dairy farmer, to sitting within four walls, day in, day out."
In September 2020, Milo finally became a full-time family member of the Bailey household and by November, he and Scott had qualified together as owner and guide dog.
Having Milo by his side has not only brought Scott confidence, independence and immeasurable happiness, but Scott’s life is often in Milo’s paws.
Milo has prevented Scott from being injured by unexpected building works, and on one occasion, even stopped him from crossing a road during a dangerous police car chase, saving his life.
Scott has even had the confidence to return to college, where he is training as a counsellor to help others affected by sight loss.
Firefighter dog sniffs out arsonists and puts murderers behind bars
Five-year-old springer spaniel, Simba, assists his handler Anton Keach in the London Fire Brigade as a Fire Investigation Dog.
The heroic dog is a crucial member of this life-saving team because he can very quickly detect a variety of ignitable substances and help determine whether a fire has been started deliberately, ensuring justice for victims of horrific arson crimes.
Last year, Simba helped to bring two murderers to justice after finding the accelerants that had been used at a fatal house fire in London.
Simba also provides great therapy to his two-legged colleagues, bringing a smile to their faces even after the toughest of days.
"Simba is a hero to us and an integral part of the London Fire Brigade team," Anton said.
Rescue dog saves owner's life with CPR during heart attack
Five-year-old Chewie was found abandoned with his littermates at just 12 weeks old in a "shallow grave" with their paws and mouths taped up.
Loretta and Ray Whiteley, from Leyland, Lancashire, adopted Chewie and he fast became an important member of the family, helping Ray, who has multiple sclerosis, with his confidence.
In 2018, Loretta was in the garden when she heard Chewie barking frantically. She went inside to find Ray in respiratory arrest and Chewie jumping on his chest with "all his might".
One of the tricks Loretta and Ray taught Chewie early on was to do CPR on their other rescue dogs.
By the time Loretta got Ray out of his chair, he was in cardiac arrest. Loretta carried out CPR until the paramedics arrived.
Since his life-saving act, Chewie has helped to raise over £5,000 for animal charities and other pets in need.
Do you have a hero dog story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
