Millies 2017: Support To The Armed Forces

The award for 'Support to the Armed Forces' has gone to the charity, Veterans With Dogs.

Based in Devon, they receive a huge volume of requests from around the UK to be involved with their programme.

Their aim is to improve the quality of life for veterans with mental health conditions, by providing them with dogs that have been given bespoke training.

Each animal is trained by volunteers from the charity, and by working with the veteran, can be taught to recognise and help with the specific needs of a person.

One veteran who has seen a huge turn around is Richard Mearns.

Richard served in Iraq as a medic, and in 2009 was diagnosed with PTSD.

Last year his life changed when he was partnered with assistance dog, Ziggy.

"It's been fantastic - it's saved my life."

"He's brought me places I would never have been, and he's kept me from places I never want to go."

Dogs like Ziggy can help shorten and reduce flashbacks, and even assist with commuting to work.

He can also create space in crowded areas by walking around in a circle.

"All of our dogs will wake a veteran from a night terror for example, but it's whether or not the veteran then wants to go immediately back to sleep, or they want to turn the light on," says the charity's Head of Training and Behaviour, Kirsten Dillon.

"Different medication needs require different reminders - our dogs are very good at reminding their veterans to take their meds."

Richard describes the charity as "life savers".

"They've brought me back down to who I used to be.

"There's still a long way to go, but I'm getting there."