Vanessa Holbrow’s knight in shining armour was a border terrier named Sir Jack Spratticus.

She credits the six-year-old rescue dog with saving her life during her battle with complex mental health issues which saw her spend more than six months in hospital.

Next week, she is hoping his loyalty will be rewarded with the Breed Rescue Dog of the Year award at the famous Crufts dog show in Birmingham.

Friends for Life is a celebration of just how much dogs change and improve people’s lives. Five of the finalists will go to the 127th edition of Crufts – where every dog has its day – held once again at the NEC in Birmingham, where the winner will be announced on Sunday, March 11.

People can vote for the dog they want to win by visiting the Crufts website, with the victor receiving £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to donate to a dog charity of their choice and runners-up £1,000.

“I can’t believe it really – I’m pleased for Border Terrier welfare, and I’m pleased for mental health,” says Vanessa, 47.

“Forget me out of the equation, please – this is just for Jack and for really recognising what a dog can do and what a rescue dog can do.

“All breeds can be assistance dogs, and invisible disabilities are just as worthy and deserving of a need for an assistance dog as any.

“Look at his face – how can you not love this breed? I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about border terriers that I’m absolutely smitten with.”

Vanessa, from Barton Road in Berrow, adopted Jack when he was 13 months old. Having already been churned through three homes, he was somewhat damaged when they met.

“He had no bite inhibition, and would bite my hand until it was numb,” she recalls.

“His socialisation was appalling, and I mean appalling.

“I went through a period where I really did fear that I might have an aggressive dog, because a few people in the dog world said he was aggressive.

“But I was determined to get the little companion that I wanted for walks, because I love walking.”

Border Terrier Jack, was re-homed in 2012, aged 13 months, by Border Terrier Welfare. Since then he has helped Vanessa live with enduring complex mental health illnesses, including anorexia.

Jack’s fourth home but Vanessa’s first dog, he has given her stability on profound levels and offered her an existence she never imagined. Both Jack and Vanessa have had to overcome immense challenges and have bonded through intense training (obedience, heel work to music, rally and agility classes). It took a year before Jack could even be worked properly due to his fear aggression, but now the transformation in him has meant that he is able to take part in lots of different activities with Vanessa.

Together they raise awareness and breakdown stigma attached to mental health. Jack has given Vanessa the motivation and confidence to speak on local BBC radio, write articles for Rethink, the national mental health charity, and together they have raised thousands for mental health charities.

“We do as much fundraising we can. I’m passionate about Beat, which is a UK eating disorder charity,” she says.

“Jack and I are walking seven miles on Sunday for Beat and Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

“Had I known I was doing Crufts I probably wouldn’t have done a walkathon in the same week, but it’s all for a good cause!”

People can vote for the dog they want to win by visiting the Crufts website, with the victor receiving £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to donate to a dog charity of their choice and runners-up £1,000.