'After everything they do, we owe them'

It is no exaggeration to say that dogs and horses risk life and limb to keep us safe. As search-andrescue dog Vesper wins the Hero Dog Award at Crufts, Katy Birchall finds out more about the charity supporting our retired service animals

A LOT of people don't realise how much these animals contribute,' sighs the Countess of Bathurst, founder of the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA). 'They have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe.

I believe we should come together as a nation and support them in their twilight years. It's the least we can do to acknowledge that loyalty.' When serving as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 2016, Lady Bathurst discovered that financial support for service animals comes to an end when they retire. 'Naturally, handlers want to keep their partners and they can easily cover the expense of food, toys and kennelling, but the cost of veterinary care can be daunting, as insurance is difficult to obtain due to the dog's age,' she points out. 'It's unthinkable that an officer might have to consider rehoming their four-legged companion simply due to financial worry, so I wanted to do something to help.'

Launched in 2022, the charity helps with the medical and veterinary bills of retired dogs and horses across the police, fire, prison, National Crime Agency, and border force services.

'Working alongside wonderful local retired police-dog charities, the NFRSA fills in the gaps and is here to make sure our blue-light families and their animals know that all they do to protect us is valued,' Lady Bathurst emphasises. 'When those vet bills come in later in life, we're here to help. It's a privilege and I'm so proud of what the team has achieved.' At the Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment in Kent, it is clear exactly how much the support of 'Lady B', as she is affectionately known, means to the handlers. 'It's great to have that reassurance for when the time comes for our dogs to retire,' says the head of the establishment, Inspector Stephen Biles.

'Being a handler is more than a job-these dogs are part of the family. They protect their officer and that creates an indescribable bond.