The Burns Bravery Awards

Read their stories. Cast your votes.

The Burns Bravery Awards is here to celebrate the extraordinary dogs whose courage, loyalty and companionship make life better - every single day. Scroll down to read about our nominees and then cast your vote.

1. Search & Rescue Award

For dogs who work alongside their handlers to help find missing and vulnerable people.

  • Dug

    Dug is a Labrador and operational Mountain Rescue Search Dog working alongside his handler, Rhiannon, in the Brecon Beacons. After three years of training, he qualified and quickly made an impact, locating a missing walker in just 12 minutes and helping another vulnerable person reach safety through his incredible scenting skills and dedication.

  • Cizzie

    Border Collie Cizzie has spent years working as a Mountain Rescue search dog alongside her handler, Mark, in South Wales. Her bravery shone when she helped locate a missing elderly man in under two hours. Nominated for her courage, teamwork and dedication, Cizzie has brought hope to families and made a remarkable difference to so many people in need.

  • Olive

    Olive is a Working Cocker Spaniel and qualified Search & Rescue dog with Surrey Search & Rescue. Just five months after qualifying, she made her first operational find, locating a missing person during a live search. Her incredible scenting skills, determination and dedication helped emergency services reach someone in need.

  • Rusty

    Rusty is a nine-year-old red collie who has spent years working alongside his handler, Kev Saunders MBE. Since qualifying as a search dog in 2020, Rusty has completed 151 operational searches across the UK, including locating a missing man in Dorset and helping find and comfort a young girl in Hampshire.

  • Maya

    Maya is a seven-year-old German Shepherd who has spent five years working alongside her handler, Conor Thorne. Together, they’ve attended around 150 search-and-rescue callouts across Hampshire and neighbouring counties. Her remarkable instincts and determination have helped locate missing people, including one man found within an hour after days of searching.

  • Olly

    Olly is a 14½-year-old Border Collie who has spent over a decade working alongside his handler, Ian Speirs. Together, they’ve attended over 150 search dog callouts, including locating a missing elderly woman. Now Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England’s longest-serving operational search dog, Olly continues training weekly and inspiring younger search dogs.

  • Buster

    Buster is an operational Search & Rescue dog who helps locate vulnerable missing people. His enthusiasm for searching makes him a valued team member, and he also inspires his community through events supporting young girls’ careers and teaching children how to interact safely with dogs.

2. Bravery Award

For dogs who have shown real courage, often despite facing fear or difficult circumstances themselves.

  • Mouse

    Mouse is a rescue lurcher whose bravery shines through his incredible journey. After overcoming significant challenges, he found a loving home and became a devoted companion. When his family faced a frightening encounter, Mouse bravely stepped forward to protect them, showing remarkable courage, loyalty and an unwavering love for his family.

  • Frankie

    Frankie is a rescue dog whose bravery shines through her extraordinary bond with her blind companion, Lola. Although Frankie can be nervous, she always finds courage when Lola needs her, protecting her, staying by her side and watching over her. Frankie’s loyalty and devotion make her a truly special companion.

3. Companion Award

For dogs who have made a real difference to someone’s life simply by being by their side when they needed them most.

  • Dory

    Dory is a rescue dog adopted at 18 months old who has become an incredible companion to her owner and fellow dog, Nemo. Despite her nervous nature, Dory brings endless joy, affection and comfort to her family, showing how the bond between a rescue dog and their owner can be truly life-changing.

  • SkyeBird

    SkyeBird is a four-year-old ex-racing greyhound who has transformed her owner’s life through her loving nature and gentle spirit. Since joining her family, she has achieved multiple Kennel Club Good Citizen awards, competed at Crufts and helped educate children about interacting safely with dogs, inspiring everyone she meets.

4. Assistance & Support Dog Award

For dogs who help people feel safer, more confident and independent in their everyday lives.

  • Brie

    Brie is a Hearing Dog who supports her deaf owner by alerting her to important sounds, including doorbells, alarms and timers. More than just her ears, Brie is a devoted companion who brings confidence, independence and joy to her owner, helping her embrace everyday life with greater freedom.

  • Eddie

    Eddie is a four-year-old Cavapoo and life-changing Assistance Dog who supports his owner with medical alerts, mobility and everyday tasks. After developing an incredible ability to detect seizures, Eddie now alerts his owner in advance, helping them reach safety. His loyalty, intelligence and loving nature bring confidence, independence and joy every day.

  • Spring

    Spring is a Medical Alert Dog gifted to his owner by Medical Detection Dogs. Through his remarkable ability to recognise changes and alert his owner, Spring provides comfort, confidence and independence. His quiet bravery, unwavering loyalty and constant companionship make him a true hero who makes a difference every single day.

5. Service Award

For dogs who have shown exceptional commitment through their work and the difference they make to others.

  • Olive

    Olive is a Working Cocker Spaniel and qualified Search & Rescue dog with Surrey Search & Rescue. Just five months after qualifying, she made her first operational find, locating a missing person during a live search. Her incredible scenting skills, determination and dedication helped emergency services reach someone in need.

  • Buster

    Buster is an operational Search & Rescue dog who helps locate vulnerable missing people. His enthusiasm for searching makes him a valued team member, and he also inspires his community through events supporting young girls’ careers and teaching children how to interact safely with dogs.

6. Community Impact Award

For dogs whose actions, presence or story have made a positive and memorable impact on the people or community around them.

  • Yogi

    Yogi is a much-loved school therapy dog who supports children with additional needs and helps them build confidence through reading. His gentle, patient nature creates a calm and comforting environment where children can relax, learn and thrive. Yogi brings joy, reassurance and a positive impact to his entire school community.

  • Supernova

    Supernova is a much-loved agility dog who brings joy, comfort and confidence to her owner. With an incredible ability to recognise when her owner feels overwhelmed, she provides reassurance and helps them navigate challenging situations. Supernova inspires confidence, supports her fellow dogs and proves that bravery comes in many forms.

  • Grey

    Grey is a trainee Search and Rescue dog with the Surrey SAR K9 team. Using his incredible sense of smell, Grey helped locate Mars, a tortoise who had gone missing in Oxshott’s woods for several weeks. Thanks to Grey’s determination, Mars was safely reunited with his delighted caregivers, showcasing his remarkable searching abilities.

  • Nora

    Nora is four years old and visits schools and universities, supporting students living away from home. She has received no special training for this role, but has a natural ability to understand what people need, bringing comfort and joy to those she meets.

Voting is now open!

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Burns is proud to fuel Britain’s Mountain Search & Rescue dogs - the remarkable teams working in some of the UK’s toughest conditions to help bring people home safely.

Throughout the campaign, Burns will donate a minimum of 10,000 meals to Mountain Search & Rescue dogs. Every verified nomination and public vote will help unlock even more meals for the dogs who dedicate their lives to helping others.

One story. One vote. More well-earned bowls for some very deserving dogs.