The Brain Charity

A hero pet which saved a Brain Charity client and her husband from burglars could be Britain’s bravest dog.

Storm, a 12-year-old Alaskan Malamute, has won the Blue Cross Medal 2022 after keeping owner Karen and her husband Phil safe on multiple occasions.

The fearless pooch scooped the prestigious animal bravery prize after chasing off burglars which entered Karen and Phil’s home in Wavertree, Liverpool, in the early hours in 2019.

Despite being drugged by the intruders, Storm prevented the thieves from getting upstairs while Karen was sleeping, escorted them out and made them drop their stash which allowed police to later take fingerprints.

In May this year, the brave mutt stepped in again when Karen’s house set on fire while she was out shopping, by pushing pet cats Moonlight and Pippin out of a window to safety.

Storm – who has visited The Brain Charity’s centre with Phil – was waiting patiently by the kitchen door to be rescued himself when help arrived.

Karen said: “The fire brigade could not believe how Storm saved two of my cats and trusted that help would soon arrive.

“The police were so impressed they personally took him down the road to his vet to check hadn’t inhaled the smoke or been harmed.

“The officer would not leave his side and said he was as good as a trained police dog.”

Storm also goes the extra mile in Karen and Phil’s daily lives – helping them with the neurological conditions which they have been supported by The Brain Charity for.

The loyal hound was an assistance dog to Phil, who had two brain injuries, epilepsy and vascular dementia, before he moved into a care home – helping him with his walking and gently nudging him if he wasn’t walking in a straight line.

He now does this for Karen, who has degenerative disc disease and little sensation in her left leg.

Because Karen has visual field problems and tinnitus in both ears, Storm helps her to check the traffic before she crosses a road and alerts her to the telephone and doorbell.

He also senses and alerts her before she has a fibromyalgia episode or asthma attack, and if an attack is imminent he won’t leave her side.

Former occupational therapist Karen said: “Storm is a hero to me for everything he has done and continues to do.

“He was the runt of the litter but has proved himself to be anything but. I’m over the moon that he has won the Blue Cross medal, it was amazing news.

“I never expected he would win and I’m so proud of him.”

The Blue Cross medal began in 1917 during World War One for people who helped animals and today celebrates heroic pets who are changing or saving lives across the UK – with one extra special pet being awarded the winning medal each year.

The first animal to be given the award was in 1940 to a dog called ‘La Cloche’ for saving his owner, a French sailor, from drowning after a German torpedo hit their ship, by dragging him to safety on a raft.

Chris Burghes, Blue Cross Chief Executive, said: “It was a very close call but Storm came out on top, he is an amazing pet that has been such a valued member of the family when they have gone through so much.

“Congratulations to him and each and every pet who supports their owners in both day to day life and by doing incredible acts like Storm.”