Meet Sir Jack Spratticus
Sir Jack Spratticus was announced as the winner of the Friends For Life competition at Crufts 2018 earlier this year.
Jack, who is a border terrier, was rescued by Vanessa Holbrow after being at four different homes. Jack is credited with changing Vanessa's life, by helping her to live with a complex mental health issue and increasing her confidence, companionship and stability.
Jack has given Vanessa the motivation and confidence to speak on local radio, and together they have raised thousands of pounds for mental health charities. Jack was accepted by the organisation Canine Generated Independence in August 2017 and is now nearing the end of his training to be an official assistance dog to Vanessa.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Huge congratulations to Vanessa and Jack for their incredible win – their story is so moving and inspiring, it really shows how dogs can transform the lives of their owners.
“We have had some amazing finalists for this year’s Friends for Life competition, and they all should be extremely proud to have got through to the final five. Each finalist has helped to change and improve the quality of their owner’s life, showing unwavering loyalty and they are a great example of the incredible difference that dogs can make to people’s lives.”
The five dogs which made the 2018 final were selected by a panel of judges from the Kennel Club, where they were chosen for the lifetime of love and loyalty they give to their owners and for the way that they have irrevocably changed their lives.