From the moment Ben went to live with Alison and Alan Mundie, the puppy filled their lives with joy.
But after seven years, the couple felt that other people deserved to experience all their Golden Retriever had to give – and signed him up for an incredibly special job helping those most in need.
Ben was registered as the first official Therapet at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary three years ago, where he spends time visiting patients in the stroke ward.
His visits have become so successful that there are now ten dogs on the rota, who have helped patients with their rehabilitation in ways staff could have never imagined.
And to thank Ben for all his hard work, the hospital recently nominated him for an RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes award, in which he could be crowned Hero Animal of the Year.
Mrs Mundie, who lives at Oldmeldrum, said that without Ben, the Therapet programme at ARI would have never been possible.
“Ben is already a winner to us. He’s one in a million,” she said.
Mrs Mundie works as a programme manager at ARI and persuaded bosses that bringing Ben in would be a good idea.
“Our pets are our children and our family, and we wanted to share that joy,” she said.
Therapets do not require any official training, but they must be able to cope with the different noises and smells of a hospital ward.
Mr and Mrs Mundie also had to go through their own training and Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) checks to become official Therapet handlers.
Mrs Mundie said the positive difference Ben made was instant.
“There are people who have had a stroke who have reached out their hand to touch Ben. It’s incredible,” she said.
“It’s good for the staff and families too – they sometimes can’t believe the reaction their loved ones give.
“And it’s because of Ben that we can do this.
“There’s no better feeling than the joy we get from seeing a smile on someone’s face.”
Ben, who is ten-years-old, is now semi-retired, but his little brother Kobe is following in his footsteps as the latest visitor to the ward.
“The more people know about Ben’s story and about Therapets, the more people we can encourage to get involved with their pets,” she said.
“The visits can become tiring for him, but until he stops wagging his tail he won’t stop.”