Max the therapy dog gets animal OBE for virtual care across the world

A dog giving virtual therapy during the pandemic to people all over the world has been awarded the animal equivalent of an OBE.

Max, an English springer spaniel from the Lake District, has been awarded the Order of Merit by veterinary charity PDSA for his outstanding contribution to society.

Max's owner, Kerry Irving was in a road traffic accident in 2006, which left him with chronic neck and back pain and unable to walk.

Mr Irving’s mental health soon deteriorated and he was diagnosed with severe depression. Two years after the accident, Kerry met Max who he says gave him a reason to walk again.

Twelve months later the pair took on climbing Ben Nevis but Max has since helped people all over the world with their mental health.

It began when Mr Irving started to photograph Max enjoying his walks in the Lake District, which he posted on his Facebook page ‘Max out in the Lakes’. The Facebook page has since generated over 186,000 Facebook followers.

Hundreds of requests from Facebook fans poured in to meet Max, who then trained as a therapy dog with Assistance Dogs UK in 2016, which enabled him to visit schools, hospitals and hospices.

His popularity was so great, Mr Irving began organising walks for charity so that large groups of people could come together to meet Max. Max has met more than 10,000 people and helped to raise almost £300,000 for charities, including PDSA.

Max fan: 'He's given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning'

Kerry Irving said: “When I was at my lowest, Max became my reason to live and he continues to make me smile every day. Being able to share the support, comfort and joy that Max brings to thousands of people has been a privilege.”

During Max’s walks, which can be seen as live feeds via Facebook Live, people all over the world join him virtually.

One Max fan said: "I work as a primary school teacher and support people with mental health and Max has been my support for my mental health".

Another said: "Watching Max out in the Lake District, every day twice a day lifts my spirits no end".

And another fan admits: "He's given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning".

Mr Irving said: “We receive daily messages from people all over the world, saying how Max’s adventures make them smile and bring joy to their life.

“I have met soldiers who served in Afghanistan who say they used to look at Max’s page to remind them of home. I’ve also received messages from NHS staff working on the frontline during the pandemic, who have found moments of peace and escape with Max.

“He doesn’t just make me proud he makes everybody proud. He is a hero without a cape.”

Max is the first ever pet to receive the Order of Merit which has previously been given to dogs and horses who were specifically trained to perform roles, e.g. police dogs, medical detection dogs and search and rescue dogs.

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.

“He has become a true ambassador for the positive impact that animals have on mental health and wellbeing, which is more important now than ever."