Radley and Konrad Galen-Bisping.

Winner will be announced at Crufts next month

Blinded and left with memory problems after he was attacked by another soldier during a training exercise, Lance Corporal Konrad Galen-Bisping army career and his life was in tatters.

That was until he met guide dog Radley who not only helped rebuild his confidence, but also went to the gym with Konrad, where the former soldier met his wife Siwan.

Now Radley, a Labrador golden retriever cross, is among the five finalists in the annual Crufts Friends for Life Competition, run by The Kennel Club.

Konrad, 37, said: “Before I had Radley, I didn't want to go out at all. He has had a major impact on my life and completely turned it around. He gave me more confidence and has made me realise it's not all bad out there. He's truly is my best friend.”

Other finalists in the competition include medical detection dog Molls, a cocker spaniel, who saves her 11-year-old diabetic owner Steven Courtney's life, by detecting his blood sugar levels and fetching his glucose testing kit whenever needed.

Steven's mum Serena Courtney, said: “Having Molls has changed our lives as a family. Steven is so much calmer and more relaxed and the bond that they share is incredible. We feel so much better knowing that she is around to look out for her best friend.”

Another cocker spaniel called Molly looks after 20-year-old Lucy Watts, who felt isolated and alone as a result of  chronic, life limiting illness ehlers-danlos syndrome.

Lucy is wheelchair bound, in pain, and is fed through her bloodstream and is sometimes confined to her bed for days or even weeks at a time. Molly gave her the assurance and independence that she needed. Now instead of being shy and withdrawn Lucy now takes Molly to agility training and she has even spoken in parliament.

Lucy said: “Molly has not only given me confidence but also independence to live what remains of my life in a way I couldn’t have imagined before. For the first time in six years, I went out on my own and took her for a walk. It was such a liberating experience.

“Being in a wheelchair can be an isolating experience; people don't know how to talk to you so often they don't include you. I found that really hard but when Molly came into my life it was like my wheelchair didn't exist, people started talking to me and including me. Suddenly I was a part of society. Molly did that.

"She broke down the barrier between the able and disabled for me. I now feel included, wanted and important and the bond between us is unbreakable.”

Just after she was born Lottie Wilcocks underwent nine hours of major surgery and since then has also had bowel and bladder operations. Mum Tracey, a Macmillan Nurse, found out when she was pregnant that Lottie had spina bifida and hydrocephalus.  Lottie will never walk and has no sensation below mid-thigh; she can’t feel her knees, shins or feet and gets around only in a wheelchair.

Assistance dog Velvet came into her life two years ago and turned it around; with Velvet’s help Lottie can be an ordinary schoolgirl like her friends. Not only does Velvet help her open doors and drawers, switch on lights and pick up dropped items, she also knows the "speak" command and can fetch the phone if Lottie falls out of her wheelchair and needs help. 

The pairing has given Lottie a huge boost in self-confidence and the aspiring Paralympic athlete who represents the North West in road and track wheelchair races, now leads a full and active life.

“Velvet is my best friend. I can’t imagine life without her. She comes everywhere with me and gives me the confidence to do things that I wouldn’t be able to do without her. She is the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of night,” Lottie said.

Jessie a mastiff great dane cross had a horrendous start in life. She was rescued from a locked shed after neighbours called police. She had been physically abused having suffered cigarette burns on her legs and ears while her nose had been slashed.

Meanwhile Julie Barret, was struggling with the daily symptoms of diabetes, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and other painful conditions, as well as the death of her father.

Julie, aged 33, said: “When Jessie came into my life I was at my lowest point but it felt like my problems were nothing compared to the abuse that she had endured. I put all of my energy into making sure that she was happy and healthy and she gave me a new reason for living.

"Now, if I am upset or crying, Jessie licks away my tears. I have never known such a loyal, loving and trusting dog.  Despite everything she has been through she loves and trusts everyone and I often ask myself who saved who.”


Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: “The dogs that have made the final of the Crufts Friends for Life competition are all truly inspirational and demonstrate just how important dogs are to our lives and what a difference they make to us, both in our best times and when things are tough.”



The winner of the Friends for Life competition will receive £1,500 and the other finalists will receive £750, all for their chosen charities.

For more visit the Crufts website.

Images by OnEdition/The Kennel