A holiday in Scotland changed everything for Nomansland’s Terry and Alison Rann.

Walking past a bus full of disabled children from the local community school, they suggested their Bearded Collie dog Cleo say hello to the kids.

Cleo, who is now eight years old, made such an impression that it set in motion a career as a Pet as Therapy dog throughout Wiltshire.

Turning a one-off moment of happiness to a bounty of memories, there’s little doubt this is a role Cleo was born for, something her owners are definitely keen to make the most of.

“I let Cleo get on to meet the kids and they all just loved her,” recalls Terry, 70, of School Road, who adopted Cleo when she was just eight weeks old – one of the Ranns’ three Beardies.

“She was going up and down the bus and they were all stroking her.

“I saw what an impact she made and so I thought, ‘Well, she could be good at this.’ So I signed her up at Pets as Therapy.”

Terry and wife Alison, 55, who run the Stagecoach Performing Arts School in Winchester, started taking Cleo into care homes around their area including the Cedars Care Home in Landford, near Salisbury. 

She brings huge pleasure to the residents of the home, many of whom suffer from dementia.

One terminally ill patient made a special request for Cleo to visit him in his final days, where she was able to give him and his family great comfort. He was later cremated with the ashes of his own much loved Beardies.

To celebrate the impact he has had on so many elderly people, Cleo will be rewarded at the 127th edition of Crufts this week, where the Bearded Collie Club are organising a special awards event.

Medals will be presented to Kennel Club breed-registered Bearded Collies that are actively working in a therapy dog capacity to celebrate their valuable contributions to their various communities. 

It is the aim to recognise that although an active and intelligent breed they have adapted their wonderful and caring temperaments to work in the modern world.

“She is so gentle and calm,” says Terry. “She goes and sees everyone in the homes and they just love her.

“I know we shouldn’t encourage it, but she’s quite a licky dog! She’s always up trying to lick people and she tries to steal what’s left of their food.

“I’m chuffed about getting this award. It’s great, really great.

“It’s a good opportunity to raise awareness for the breed too.”