"I didn't realise at the time, but as Tilly became more confident, I did too. For the first time in years, I was enjoying myself."

Tilly and her owner found happiness together
 
A rescue dog who once saw the world as a fearful place has now been given a PDSA award for helping her owner through a period of extreme personal tragedy.

Springer spaniel Tilly had a tough start in life and, at nine months old, she was frightened of everything and everyone.

At the same time, Heather Purdy was facing despair after a string of family deaths and a life-changing illness which left her husband needing round the clock care.

The pair came together at a time when they both needed help and, in helping Tilly to overcome her fears, Heather herself found happiness again. Now a far more confident dog, Tilly has been awarded a PDSA Commendation for her devotion to her owner.

"Over the last few years, my husband was left severely disabled from a massive brain haemorrhage, my daughter died from cystic fibrosis and I also lost my mother, grandparents and a cousin," she explained.

"I could see myself staring into a black hole and feared, if I fell into it, that I would not be able to come out."

She decided to throw herself back into her work at HPPL Canine Security Services, which provides trained detection dogs for sniffing out drugs and weapons at events. The business also offers training for dogs with behavioural problems.

Set to return to work, Heather visited a local rescue centre to find a new detection dog and it was there that she met Tilly, a timid young springer spaniel that would later change her life.

"Tilly took an instant shine to me and I brought her home," Heather said. "I totally lost my heart to her and didn't give a second thought to any of the qualities I'd initially been looking for in a working dog! I just knew Tilly needed help."

At first, the young pup would urinate, shake and bark when she was confronted with anything new, but Heather managed to gradually build her confidence through basic training, then by visiting markets, museums and finally air shows and even the London underground.

"I didn't realise at the time, but as Tilly became more confident, I did too. For the first time in years, I was enjoying myself," Heather added.

"When Tilly and I became a team, we were both at the lowest points of our lives. We have helped each other and if it wasn’t for Tilly, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I might just have been sucked into that black hole.

"Seeing her take on every challenge thrown at her and taking it all in her stride to become a bigger, better dog inspired me to keep going and get on with my own life. I have been to hell and back on more than one occasion and it is Tilly who has pulled me back on track."

Tilly was presented with her certificate by the PDSA's director general, Jan McLoughlin, during a special ceremony in Sunderland.

Image courtesy of the PDSA