Therapy dog gets its own statue after helping 10,000 people during pandemic

Max the Springer Spaniel became the first pet to receive a PDSA Order of Merit for making an ‘outstanding contribution to society’

An ‘extraordinary’ dog has been immortalised in bronze after winning the animal equivalent of an OBE.

Springer spaniel ‘Max the Miracle Dog’ has become the first pet to receive a PDSA Order of Merit for making an ‘outstanding contribution to society’ by providing virtual therapy during the lockdown.

Max became a familiar face to thousands after owner Kerry Irving broadcast his daily walks and activities on Facebook Live, in a bid to give people comfort.

People from as far as Australia enjoyed watched Max bounding around the Lake District.

Now a statue has been erected in his hometown, Keswick, Cumbria, to honour him for giving hope to so many.

It was designed and made by local sculptor, Kirsty Armstrong, and was unveiled in Hope Park by Sophie, 12, who lives locally.

Mr Irving, who had Max trained as a therapy dog in 2016, said of the statue: ‘Hope Park is the perfect location as Max has brought hope to so many people.

‘It’s incredible that our little boy, proudly wearing his PDSA Order of Merit, will now be sat there and remembered for generations to come.’

Max, who was trained as a therapy dog in 2016, with owner Kerry Irving (Picture: PA)

The Springer Spaniel has won an army of fans after his activities in the Lake District were broadcast on Facebook (Picture: PA)

The statue was paid for by a crowd-funding campaign, which racked up an incredible £26,000 in just one day.

Mr Irving donated the additional funds to vet charity, PDSA, which is ‘very close to his heart’.

He told how he was ‘humbled’, adding: ‘I hope that Max’s statue will bring great comfort to all those who visit.’

The Mayor of Keswick, Councillor Alan Dunn, described Max as an ‘extraordinary dog’ who has become ‘Keswick’s canine ambassador’.

“Max’s gentle nature has touched so many people around the world, and his and Kerry’s dedication to charitable work and helping as many people as possible is a true testament to the unshakeable bond between one man and his dog,’ the Mayor added.

Mr Irving said he was ‘humbled’ after donations for the statue of his beloved dog flooded in (Picture: PA)

Max was adopted by Mr Irving in 2008 having developed severe depression after suffering a serious injury in a road accident.

Photos of the dog on his walks were became hugely popular on social media.

Now Max has met more than 10,000 fans through meet-and-greets, charity walks, appearances and school visits.

And he has helped to raise nearly £300,000 for a variety of causes, including the PDSA.

The PDSA Order of Merit is usually reserved for animals specially trained to perform certain roles, including working for the police, medical detection and search and rescue.

Just 32 dogs and horses have received the honour since it was launched in 2014.

METRO.CO.UK LIFELINE NEEDS YOU!

Join us in Oxfordshire on Saturday 2 October 2021, for a fun and feel-good hiking adventure alongside celeb supporters and other Metro.co.uk readers, to help raise money for the life-saving charity Medical Detection Dogs.

With two distances to choose from – 10k and 48k - family, friends and dogs are more than welcome. We’ve got just 75 places up for grabs - so to make sure you don’t miss out sign up here today.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.