Marton: Crufts award nomination for a dog who can detect and alert his owner to when she needs medical attention

A dog who detects when his owner needs medical attention and licks her face has been nominated for a Crufts award.
Joy and AengusJoy and Aengus
Joy and Aengus

Joy Devine, 54, of Stow Park Road in Marton, bought Aengus when she was diagnosed with a one-in-two million chance ear tumour.

Aengus, a three-year-old Labrador, is a unique dog as he is able to detect when Joy has an ear infection and needs medical attention. He licks the side of her face and that lets Joy know she needs to immediately phone her doctor and because of Aengus’s great ability he has been nominated for the Kennel Club’s Friends for Life competition.

Joy said: “I don’t have to know myself if I am not well. I just watch out for him. He even alerts me if I need medication in the middle of the night.”

“I said before I die I would love to own my own dog. If I hadn’t have had him I wouldn’t be as well as I am now.”

Aengus recently earned his level one Dog Assistance in Disability (AID) training and even alerted Joy’s friend to an ear infection. Joy added: “One day he started to lick the side of my friends face and came back down to me.”

“I asked her if she had been to the doctors recently and when she said ‘yes’ I told her to go again.”

“You hear so many bad cases of dogs but Aengus goes out of his way. It’s unconditional love that he brings to people.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: “People have sent us such moving and inspirational stories that truly demonstrate how important dogs are to our lives and what a difference they make to us, both in our best times and when things are tough.”

“Joy and Aengus are thoroughly deserving of this nomination and the Kennel Club wishes them luck in the Friends for Life competition.”

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