Tilly the Therapy Dog Overcomes Adversity to Inspire Others
A rescue dog found abandoned in a plastic washing basket on a roundabout has been named a finalist in the Crufts Hero Award—a remarkable turnaround from her difficult start in life.
Tilly, a two-year-old pup, was discovered when she was just four weeks old, alongside three other puppies. She was taken in by New Hope Animal Rescue, where she was hand-reared in a foster home until she was old enough for adoption.
From Abandoned Puppy to Therapy Dog
Tilly was later adopted by Emily Washington from Strood, Kent, who quickly recognised her potential. In less than a year, Tilly underwent an incredible transformation—passing a temperament assessment at just nine months old to become a Pets as Therapy dog.
She now regularly visits care homes, schools, colleges, and prisons, offering comfort and companionship through therapy sessions.
A Lifeline for Her Owner
Beyond helping others, Tilly has also been a vital support for her owner Emily, particularly during her challenging recovery from spinal surgery.
“Tilly has overcome everything life has thrown at her,” Emily said.
“She absolutely shows that rescue dogs can go on to do amazing things. From a dumped puppy to a therapy and assistance dog, she deserves the recognition for what she has done for so many people.”
Tilly has also been trained to alert Emily to oncoming migraines and high anxiety, as well as interrupt stress-related behaviours, making her not just a therapy dog, but an invaluable assistance dog.
Crufts Hero Dog Award Finalist
Tilly has been announced as a finalist in the Rescue Dog Hero category of the Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, which recognises the special bond between people and their dogs and their positive impact on society.
Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Crufts, highlighted the importance of the award:
“This award is an opportunity to celebrate our unsung canine heroes—those dogs that quietly go about changing people’s lives in their own unique and special way, those who keep us safe in society and show extraordinary courage, and those best friends who are by our sides through it all.”
He encouraged the public to vote for Tilly and support her incredible journey from abandonment to heroism.
How to Vote
The winner of the Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive a £5,000 donation to a dog charity of their choice, with other finalists receiving £1,000 each.
The public can now watch each finalist’s story, including Tilly’s, and vote for Hero Dog 2025 until 4pm on Sunday, March 9, by visiting the Crufts website.
This year’s Crufts competition is set to be a celebration of the life-changing impact of dogs, with Tilly already proving that rescue dogs can achieve incredible things.
