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Holly's our buddy!

She’s a heroine hound who stole the show...


Published by: Charlotte Potter
Published on: 9th june 2011

They were all worthy finalists – but in the end, there could only be one leader of the pack.
Holly, a nine-year-old search and rescue dog, has been named the Dogs Trust Honours 2011 Goldie Oldie champ, an award sponsored this year by Full House!
She was up against crime-fighting Labrador cross Jack, pet therapist Westie Hamish McFee, a faithful crossbreed called Penny, and Roger the Welsh terrier rescue dog who’d helped a crime victim’s recovery.
But it was the daring tales of fearless Holly’s globe-trotting adventures, plucking disaster victims to safety, that finally won over the celebrity panel of judges including Miranda Hart, Martin Freeman, Clare Balding and
Nicky Campbell.
Holly, a Labrador-Retriever cross, has not only helped rescue dozens of people here, she’s also assisted after earthquakes in Haiti and Pakistan, locating 21 buried people who were still alive.
Delighted owner Neil Woodmansey, 44, a fire brigade technical rescue manager from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, was with Holly at the star-studded ceremony in London this week to receive the award. ‘I’m so proud Holly won, over the moon in fact,’ he beamed ‘She’s worked so hard for this.’
Neil had previously received the MBE from the Queen for his own rescue efforts. ‘When I got my MBE, I joked to Her Majesty it was Holly who really deserved the award,’ he said. ‘So it’s amazing she now has an award of her own.
‘We plan to celebrate with a long walk and a dog biscuit. As a treat, I’ll give her one of the squeaky balls she loves to play with.’
Now Holly’s lending a paw as Neil trains his second search and rescue dog Maisy, a two-year-old black Labrador.
‘She’s handing on the baton,’ added Neil. ‘Maisy will do most of the dog work and Holly can take it a bit easier. She deserves it.’



CLICK HERE to take a peek at some pictures of our Golden Oldie winner Holly collecting her trophy and a few other snaps taken on the night of the Dogs Trust Honours Awards 2011.