Brave Springer Spaniel Awarded Animal George Cross
Orkney canine hero honoured with the animals’ George Cross
Ghillie, a two-year-old Springer Spaniel from Kirkwall, Orkney was today (20 December) awarded the prestigious PDSA Gold Medal – the animals’ George Cross – for his gallantry and life-saving devotion at a special presentation.
The Gold Medal was presented to Ghillie by PDSA Deputy Chairman, Chris Heaps at a ceremony attended at the Orkney Hotel in Kirkwall.
On 19 December 2005, Ghillie was out walking with his owner’s elderly mother, Mary Wilson, when she collapsed on the bridle path on Holme Road just outside Kirkwall. Ghillie’s constant barking attracted the attention of a group of engineers inspecting poles nearby. The dog’s insistence that they follow him back along the path to where Mary lay unconscious, undoubtedly saved her life.
Mary, from Fair Isle, was staying with her son, Alan Wilson, a Kirkwall vet and Ghillie’s owner, when the incident happened. Because the location was difficult to access, Mary was carried down the bridle path in the engineers’ tractor to a waiting ambulance which took her to Balfour Hospital, for treatment. Happily, Mary made a complete recovery, but without Ghillie’s determination and devotion, the outcome could have been very different.
Mary Wilson, aged 62 says: “I had let Ghillie off his lead. He and I were enjoying our walk. I remember thinking it was a lovely crisp winter’s day. My next recollection was waking up in hospital attached to several machines.
“A nurse told me that Ghillie had got help for me and I found this quite amazing as Ghillie was such a young dog at the time. I shall be forever thankful to him for his prompt, clever and persistent actions. I always give him a special treat at Christmas and now PDSA has honoured him with a Gold Medal everyone will know what a brave dog he is.”
The ceremony was attended by Ghillie’s owners, Lyn and Alan Wilson and the engineers who were involved in the rescue, Leslie Alexander, Brian Moodie and Sandy Thomson.
Chris Heaps, Deputy Chairman of PDSA says: “The PDSA Gold Medal is awarded on an exceptional basis to exceptional animals. It is widely regarded as the animals’ George Cross, quite simply, the highest award any ‘civilian’ animal can receive for gallantry.
“Ghillie’s determination to find help for Mary after her fall secured her rescue and thereby saved her life.”
Mary Wilson was unable to attend the ceremony as she is undergoing treatment at an Aberdeen hospital. PDSA sends her their very best wishes.
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