The 'Friends for Life' award acknowledges dogs that really deserve to be rewarded for what they give their owners and others in their lives, with wonderful tales of bravery, support and companionship. There are many examples of dogs showing unfailing loyalty and spirit in their constant wish to help, and the competition demonstrates the incredible difference that dogs can make to people’s lives.

Evie is the youngest recipient of a hearing dog, and since Gem was placed with her in October 2008 Evie’s family and teachers have seen a huge difference in her behaviour and confidence. Evie’s mum Becky explains: “Gem trots round everywhere after Evie, it’s almost like she’s checking where she’s going, which I know Evie is finding reassuring. The most exciting event is Evie sleeping in her own bed. Before we had Gem, Evie had never, not even once, slept through the night in her own bed. Now she goes to bed at 7.30pm and gets up the next morning at 7.00am. After seven and a half years’ broken sleep (sometimes quite upsetting, traumatic sleep) it is fantastic for us as her parents, but I can only imagine how immensely secure Evie must now feel to be able to do this.”

Gem has been trained to find Evie and tell her when one of her family want her attention, and also takes messages to and from Evie in a purse which she carries in her mouth. She also alerts Evie to the cooker timer, which the family use for all sorts of activities including setting a time limit for homework. The benefits of the soundwork are obvious, but Becky has noticed a change in Evie’s behaviour too.

“Evie has always been quite a challenging child – she is very intelligent and attempts to be more independent than she is capable of being, which leads to frustration. She can resort to being quite naughty when she feels she is being ignored. However, both Dave and I have noticed quite a dramatic improvement in her behaviour since Gem’s arrival. We think this is because with Gem, Evie never feels ignored and Evie knows that she must do as Gem is telling her with the nose nudge alert.

"She seems to not need as much attention now Gem is here, and in her own words commented the other day, “I don’t get into any trouble now Gem is here and Mummy doesn’t shout as much!” Another contributor to her increasingly good behaviour must surely be because she is not as tired, and her improvement in behaviour has also been noted by her grandparents and her teacher.”

She adds: "Absolutely everything about Gem’s arrival has been positive and the results are so heartening.”