Daisy the Dachshund Up for Therapy Dog Medal of Honour
Provides reassurance to children in challenging circumstances
Daisy is a key member of the Underdog International Therapy Dog Team
August 25, 2026
A miniature dachshund who lives near Kew Bridge and works as a therapy dog with children across south-west London has been named a finalist in the UK Service Dogs Awards 2026. Daisy, a much-loved member of the Underdog International Therapy Dog Team, was selected by an independent judging panel from a large and highly competitive field of nominations submitted from across the country. She is a finalist in the Wellbeing/Therapy Dog Medal of Honour, a category recognising the extraordinary contribution that therapy and service dogs make to people’s lives.
Daisy works alongside her owner, GP Dr Claire King, who practises at Glebe Road Surgery in Barnes. For the past three years, the pair have supported children in schools and community settings, offering calm, connection and emotional reassurance to pupils facing a wide range of challenges. Daisy has brought her gentle presence, warmth and confidence-building magic to pupils facing a wide range of emotional, social and personal challenges.
Dr King says Daisy’s impact is rooted in her temperament. “Daisy may be small, but she has a huge heart — and she has a remarkable ability to help children who are struggling emotionally. She has supported pupils experiencing low self-esteem, bullying, bereavement, trauma and complex family circumstances. Her gentle, non-judgemental presence can help children regulate their emotions and feel safe enough to talk about things they may have found difficult to express.”
Children interact with Daisy in different ways: reading to her, teaching her tricks, or simply sitting quietly with her. Over time, Dr King says, many have found the confidence to speak about worries they had never previously voiced. “Being part of ‘Daisy’s pack’ can give children a sense of belonging and help them feel seen, heard and valued,” she explains. “For me as a GP, it has been incredibly powerful to see first-hand the difference that a therapy dog can make. Daisy’s work is a lovely example of how animals can complement the work of healthcare and education professionals, bringing warmth, connection and reassurance to children who need it most.”
The UK Service Dogs Awards celebrate excellence across assistance, wellbeing, therapy, military, emergency services, rescue and lifesaving roles. The awards are organised jointly by Service Dogs UK and the National Foundation of Retired Service Animals (NFRSA). Event organisers said they were “absolutely delighted that Daisy has been recognised as a finalist in the UK Service Dogs Wellbeing/Therapy Dog Medal of Honour,” adding that being selected from so many nominations is “a tremendous achievement.”
The UK Service Dogs Conference & Awards will take place on Thursday 1 October at Avisford Park Hotel in West Sussex, bringing together organisations, practitioners, researchers, volunteers and supporters from across the service dog sector. Daisy now joins an elite group of dogs, handlers and organisations representing the very best of the UK’s service dog community — a recognition that reflects not only her individual achievements but the wider contribution therapy dogs make to children’s wellbeing, confidence and emotional resilience.
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