Call for nominations for the 2011 Dogs Trust Honours Nominations close 22nd April 2011

A judging panel of celebrity dog lovers Martin Freeman, Graham Norton, Miranda Hart, John Partridge, Brian Sewell, Clare Balding and Nicky Campbell plus Clarissa Baldwin and Beverley Cuddy (Editor of Dogs Today magazine) will choose the winners. They will be presented with their awards at the fabulous Dogs Trust Honours event, hosted by Paul Ross, at Haberdashers Hall in London’s Smithfield on 1st June 2011. Miranda Hart says "I am delighted to be a judge for the 2011 Dogs Trust Honours. I can't wait to hear all about the nation's most heroic pooches and I won't lie, will probably do a little weep, they are so gorgeous."

Graham Norton with Madge

If a friend’s marvellous mutt has helped them through difficult times, if people have heard a tale of barking bravery or if a dog lover owns a courageous canine, they can visit www.dogstrusthonours.co.uk and nominate a dog for any of these awards:

Hero Dog
The award for acts of bravery. From pet dogs to those supporting the military, police and other services. In association with The Sun.

Golden Oldie
A lifetime achievement award for special dogs over 7 years old that have achieved a lot in their lifetime. In association with Full House!

Dogged Devotion
The award for dogs that provide emotional support and act as canine lifelines for their owners.

Celebrity Canine
For dogs in the public eye, including those on TV or who belong to celebrities.

There is also a category for dedicated dog lovers that deserve recognition:

Dog’s Best Friend
For people who make a big difference to the lives of dogs, or owners that go the extra mile for their beloved canine companion. In association with Dogs Today.

Whether they spend all their spare time volunteering at a rescue centre; have raised lots of money for expensive veterinary care; or searched day and night when their dog went missing, if they’re worthy of a Dogs Trust Honour they can be nominated. The deserving winners will be the guests of honour at the ceremony; rubbing noses with celebrity dog lovers and their canine companions, as well as enjoying a special Doggy Hall of Fame that will feature famous fidos from the small and silver screen.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive and Dogs Trust Honours Head Judge, explains:

“It’s astonishing how much fun, love and affection dogs can bring to our lives but often they give us much more. People too go beyond the call of duty, doing wonderful things to help man’s best friend.

Dogs Trust Honours is a celebration of the unique relationship between man and dog. We want to hear the best stories of dedication and doggy derring-do so make a nomination now.”

Nominations close at midnight 22nd April 2011.

To nominate a dog visit www.dogstrusthonours.co.uk or send details and high resolution photo to awards@dogstrust.org.uk. You may also nominate via letter to Dogs Trust Honours, 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ. Unfortunately, Dogs trust are unable to return photos and only the shortlisted nominees will be contacted.

2011 Winners

Dogged Devotion Award For dogs that provide emotional support and act as canine lifelines for their owners. This award recognises dogs that have been by their owner's side through thick and thin.	Tully, Wizz and Barney Barney, Wizz and Tully who 'work' in the inclusion unit at a North Wales school and have made a huge difference to the lives of many vulnerable young people.
Celebrity Canine Award For dogs in the public eye, including those on TV or who belong to celebrities. Who's your favourite TV dog? Which pop star's pooch is simply the cutest?	Sykes Sykes who starred as Harvey in the Thinkbox TV ad which stole the nation's hearts this year.
Golden Oldie Award A lifetime achievement award for special dogs aged over 7 years. They have achieved an incredible amount over their lifetime but remain young at heart.	Holly Holly, a nine year old Labrador who recently retired after seven and half years of dedicated work as a search and rescue dog. Last year she was deployed to Haiti following the earthquake and in 2005 she helped locate 21 people alive in the aftermath of the Pakistan earthquake.
Dog's Best Friend For people who make a big difference to the lives of dogs, or owners that go the extra mile for their beloved canine companion.	Kirsty Thomas Kirsty Thomas from Newport who started her own dog rescue – Four Paws – to help find loving homes for local stray and abandoned dogs. Last year she found homes or suitable rescue places for 533 dogs, which might otherwise have been put to sleep.
Hero Dog Award For acts of bravery by heroic hounds such as those supporting the UK armed forces at home and abroad. Amongst others included in this category would be Search and Rescue dogs, Police dogs and HMRC dogs.	Theo Theo, the record breaking bomb detection dog who sadly died earlier this year in Afghanistan soon after his handler Lance Corporal Liam Tasker was killed. He was nominated by Liam's mother Jane Duffy who was at the event with Liam's sisters to receive the award on Theo's behalf.