Meet Antis, The Canine Hero Who's Changed A Veteran's Life

A dog with a special connection to a Dickin Medal winner has helped an army veteran gain a new lease of life.

Tommy Masters struggled after leaving the army, but his canine companion Antis, has helped him get his life back on track.

The former soldier has battled alcoholism and PTSD after being medically discharged:

“It’s been really hard to adjust to society.

"You can’t find the same comradeship when you come out, so I struggled for a long time, thinking that there was nobody to help me”.

Antis has a big name to live up to-  his namesake is the dog that flew with Second World War pilot Robert Bozdech.

Robert’s daughters have travelled to the RAF’s 602 City of Glasgow Squadron to meet the Dickin Medal winner’s namesake.

They say it’s a great tribute to the dog that was awarded the honour often called the animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross.

Antis has been given to Tommy by the charity Bravehound, who provide companionship dogs to veterans to help them transition after their service.

Fiona McDonald, the CEO of Bravehound, says the dogs are helping veterans get out and meet people:

“They’re providing 24-hour companionship. You can see that the veterans who we’ve given dogs to are just full of fun and joy.

“We’ve had veterans say ‘I didn’t actually remember the last time I laughed, and now I’m laughing all the time, and going out and meeting people.’”

And as for Tommy, he says Antis has given him a new lease of life:

“It means the world to me. This is a new chapter in my life- he’s a bundle of energy, a bundle of fun.”

We’re going to have so many good times together- it’s just given me a new lease of life!”