The canine Croydon Champion is dedicating his award to all of the patients he has visited over the past eight years at Mayday Hospital.

Hamish MacFee, 10, has devoted his dog days to helping others; working as a Pets As Therapy dog, teaching children to cross the road safely and helping others overcome their fear of dogs.

The West Highland terrier won the Community Champion category at the Croydon Champions awards last Thursday.

He was also named Pets as Therapy dog of the year at this year’s Crufts dog show in March.

The little hero was honoured for all of his hard work in the physiotherapy and stroke units at Mayday Hospital.

His owner Barry Crossby said: “Hamish is dedicating his award to all the patients he has visited over the last eight years in Mayday Hospital but especially a wonderful man named John, who Hamish visited over several months following a severe stroke he had.

“John was a great lover of dogs and every week Hamish sat alongside him. As the weeks passed you could see the bond between them getting stronger.

“John's wife went to the hospital every day but on a Wedneday she even had to wait outside the ward whilst Hamish was visiting.”

The patient was moved to a nursing home and Hamish’s owners Barry and Margaret found out that he died a short while later.

Mrs Crossby said: “Several months later we happened to see John's wife and she thanked Hamish for all the visits he had made to John which helped him to cope. She went on to say that because John loved Hamish so much they put a picture of Hamish in his coffin so he would still be with him.

“I think that sums up what Pets as Therapy is all about and long may Hamish contine to bring joy to others he visits.”