"A water rescue dog named Bob has been crowned the nation's most heroic canine, alongside his team of lifesaving Newfoundlands who work together to prevent suicides.
Pete Lewin, from Leicester, won The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award at Crufts in Birmingham yesterday, after being nominated as a finalist alongside four other hero dogs.
Pete, who himself is a long-standing, front-line paramedic for the East Midlands Ambulance Service, runs a non-profit organisation that supports emergency services and military veterans, and those struggling with their mental health.
Speaking about the win, Pete said: 'Tonight has been incredible. I can't put into words how amazing it is. I never expected all of this, I'm just a paramedic who helps people by swimming with my dogs.'
He continued: 'The work we do is for the emergency services staff, veterans, disabled children with different needs.
'Getting this award is just amazing - not just for me but the whole team and the breed, it's quite unique what these Newfoundlands do.'
Proud Pete and his deserving team of Newfoundlands were presented with their award and a cheque for £5,000 towards a dog charity of their choice by actress and award ambassador, Sally Phillips.
The four other finalists also received £1,000 for their chosen dog charity for making it to the prestigious final.
Sally Phillips, the award's ambassador, said of the winner: 'These dogs are life-savers, they are heroes, and they are all winners.
'Well done to Pete and the Newfies, what they do is very very touching. It's wonderful to recognise the relationships we have with our dogs through this award.
The five dogs who were shortlisted were selected by a panel of judges from The Kennel Club, where they were chosen for their remarkable lifesaving capabilities.
Alongside Bob the Newfoundland was firefighting dog Simba, therapy dog Ruby, Guide Dog Milo and rescue dog Chewie.
Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, commented: 'We congratulate the team of Newfoundlands and Pete on winning this year’s Hero Dog Award. What they do is inspirational. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena!'
'All the finalists perfectly demonstrated their incredible bond they have and the companionship they provide to their owners, and the wider contribution dogs can make to society.
"All the dogs and owners have transformed each other's lives for the better and we thank them all for sharing their deeply personal stories with us all. They are all winners.'"
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