Dogs welcome as Make A Difference Awards return

Nominations are now open for this year's Make A Difference Awards, designed to recognise everyday heroes.

But it is not just humans who can get involved, as animals stand to pick up a gong each year.

Last year, Willow received an award for the most successful search dog in the Kent Search and Rescue Dog Team (KSRDT).

Charlie Savin, senior dog handler for the team, said: "She was in quite a poor, smelly state, and now she's a rescue dog that's rescuing people."

The KSRDT comprises dog owners who volunteer to help Kent Police search for missing people.

Mick Desmond, fellow senior dog handler, said: "A good dog team is basically the equivalent of 20 foot searchers, so we can cover large areas of land, woodland, forests and fields quickly."

Willow has so far located five people; two living with dementia, a man who the team said was despondent, and two people who had died.

The team are always looking for more people to get involved, even if they do not have a dog, as they can be the training targets for the dogs to search for, KSRDT said.

Mr Savin added that Willow received a steak as a reward for winning a Make A Difference Award.

"She was born to do it really," he said.