An assistance dog who has alerted his owner to more than 6,000 medical episodes and even knows how to open the door for paramedics has received a prestigious award after eight years of life-saving service.

Nine-year-old black Labrador Rowley, from Surrey, has been awarded the PDSA Commendation for his extraordinary devotion to his owner Megan, who lives with complex disabilities including visual impairment, profound hearing loss in one ear, mobility difficulties and Crohn’s disease.

Throughout his working life, Rowley has served as Megan’s Guide Dog, Disability Assistance Dog and Medical Alert and Response Dog, helping her to live and work independently.

Since the pair were partnered in 2018, he has prevented countless accidents through his intelligent guidance and alerted Megan to more than 6,000 medical episodes before they occur.

His remarkable scent detection skills can give her up to seven minutes’ warning before she loses consciousness, allowing her time to reach a place of safety.

Rowley has physically prevented Megan from stepping into moving traffic when unsafe, alerted her before fainting episodes and seizures and pulled emergency cords in disabled toilets when she has collapsed. If required, he can even open doors for paramedics.

His work has also given Megan the confidence to embrace opportunities that once seemed out of reach.

Megan said: “Over his career Rowley has been my steadfast companion and has prevented me from hundreds of injuries. It’s because of Rowley that I’ve been able to work for the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, where I deliver disability awareness training, help people to save money on their energy bills, campaign for disability rights, and run a peer support group to help others.

“I’m incredibly proud that Rowley has received the PDSA Commendation because words will never truly express what he means to me. Everything I’ve achieved over the last eight years has only been possible because Rowley has been by my side every step of the way.”

Together, Megan and Rowley have also volunteered for a variety of charities, raising more than £10,000.

Megan has been able to participate in adaptive sports, including climbing Snowdon and Ben Nevis with Rowley by her side. She has also completed the London Marathon in her wheelchair, with Rowley cheering her on from home.

Now approaching retirement on his 10th birthday in October 2026, Rowley leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of loyalty, devotion and life-saving service.

His contribution has been recognised with the PDSA Commendation, part of the charity’s prestigious Animal Awards Programme.

PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin said:

“PDSA’s Animal Awards are an incredibly important part of our history and our commitment to recognising the extraordinary contribution animals make to our lives. For generations, we have celebrated animals whose courage, loyalty, devotion and companionship have had a profound impact on people and communities.

“The PDSA Commendation is particularly special because it shines a light on the everyday heroes – animals whose unwavering love, support and devotion have transformed the lives of those around them.

“Every recipient has a remarkable story to tell, and by recognising these animals, we are also recognising the very special bond between people and their pets. It is a privilege for PDSA to continue this proud tradition and to celebrate the incredible animals whose actions remind us just how much they enrich our lives.”

PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme was established in 1943 by the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin, who believed recognising animals for their exceptional actions would raise their status in society and encourage better treatment.

Today, PDSA continues that legacy through the world’s leading Animal Awards Programme. The PDSA Commendation is one of four awards within the programme and recognises animals whose devotion, companionship and everyday actions have made an exceptional difference to the lives of people.

PDSA believes financial hardship should never stop people getting the veterinary care they need for their much-loved pets. In the last year, the charity has supported more than 339,000 people and treated over 422,000 pets across its network of over 40 Pet Hospitals and associated clinics in the UK.