Treo Awarded Dickin Medal
Treo with Sergeant Dave Heyhoe and PDSA Senior Vet Elaine Pendlebury.
The PDSA Dickin Medal is the highest award any animal can receive in recognition of conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict. Arms and Explosives Search dog, Treo, was accompanied at the ceremony by his handler, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe. The pair have worked together for five years.
During the six months we spent in Helmand Province the challenge was unrelenting but Treo did not waver from his duties for a second. He’s a true soldier friend.
On 3 and 4 September 2008, Treo once again located an IED, saving 7 Platoon, The Royal Irish Regiment, from guaranteed casualties. Again in lead position, the dog successfully identified the device and saved the lives of soldiers and civilians alike.
“Treo is a very special dog,” said Sergeant Dave Heyhoe. “There’s a reason why I call him ‘my boy’; it’s because I feel safe when he is by my side and I know he has saved my life many times over. During the six months we spent in Helmand Province the challenge was unrelenting but Treo did not waver from his duties for a second. He’s a true soldier friend.”
Treo’s award brings the total number of PDSA Dickin Medals presented to animals for their wartime heroism to 63. Since its introduction by PDSA founder, Maria Dickin CBE, in 1943, the PDSA Dickin Medal has now been awarded to 27 dogs, 32 WWII messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
