An army veteran and his dog, who was trained to help him deal with his severe post-traumatic stress disorder, have been shortlisted for a national award.
Paul Wilkie was paired with springer spaniel Irma through the Bravehound charity which helps ex-servicemen and women adjust to civilian life.
The pair, from Guildtown, Perthshire, have now been named as finalists in the animal partnership category of the Soldiering On Awards.
The annual contest celebrates those who have served their country.
Paul, 47, was a Royal Engineer, serving in Ireland, Bosnia and the Falklands.
Following an attack in 2012, he began suffering from PTSD and started having flashbacks to horrors he witnessed during his 22 years of service.
He became homeless and was living in a tent in the woods when Bravehound stepped in to turn his life around. In 2016, he became the first veteran to be matched with a dog by the charity.
The pair have become inseparable and when Paul spent months at Ninewells Hospital as his health deteriorated staff allowed Irma to stay by his bedside.
“She’s my best friend,” he said. “Without the help of Irma and Bravehound, I really do believe I would be one of the many veterans who sadly take their own lives every two weeks.
“Sadly, I suffer from severe PTSD and other injuries due to my service. But Irma is always there for me, to get me through it.”
He said: “I’m just overwhelmed to be a finalist. It really is a fantastic honour.”
Voting for the awards – at soldieringon.org – goes live on Thursday morning.
Paul and Irma are up against other finalists from charities Service Dogs UK and Veterans for Widlife.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 20.
Trainer Chris Reid delivered Irma to Paul’s home two years ago.
He said: “Irma and Paul just fitted. Irma wants to be outdoors, she’s a springer spaniel, and Paul wants to get out and walk — the connection was right.
“Having a dog gets you out, gives you a purpose to be out two or three times a day, it gets you mixing with people and it gives you a focus.”
