People’s Pet Awards

It isn’t every day that you find yourself having dinner with a royal brother-in law, a legendary newsreader, a winner of the Great British Bake Off, and a miniature horse! However Anna-Louise was delighted to join all of them to celebrate the love, loyalty and courage of our animal companions when she was invited to represent the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation at the 2021 People’s Pet Award’s gala ceremony.

The Awards celebrate the unique bond between pets and people and the inspiring ways they change our lives. The winners were honoured a star-studded awards dinner at Grosvenor House in London which was filled with emotional and magical moments.  Broadcaster Angela Rippon (above left with Anna-Louise) was among the many famous faces who presented awards on the evening – including Eammon Holmes and actor and animal activist Peter Egan.  Anna-Louise was especially pleased to have the opportunity to catch up with Peter, a friend of Pollyanna’s who acted alongside her as a patron of several charities including ABC Animal Rescue and Naturewatch.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s brother James Middleton arrived with his black cocker spaniel (right)  –  just one of the nine dogs he owns!

But the true stars of the show were undoubtedly the award winning animals – from the blind golden retriever and his guide dog puppy, to the medical alert dogs who can sense when their owner is about to black out, allowing him to lead a normal life again and Hel the Husky who sniffed out an abandoned baby, nuzzling him gently and alerting her owner, saving the newborn’s life.

However it was Wilson the Shetland Pony (above) who really stole the heart’s of the audience when he trotted in to the awards hall!  For the last five years he has been visiting the elderly, sick and disabled across Scotland, to offer comfort, along with owners John and Elaine Sangster.  John told us “We find so many people in the care homes used to ride horses, and for them to suddenly see a pony in their bedroom or in their lounge, it’s a real wow moment for them.”

Sensitive to noise, little Wilson was saluted with jazz hands from the audience instead of applause.

Host of the awards was stand-up comedian and TV  presenter Judi Love (right) – who can currently be seen getting the gossip from guests in her On The Bed Interview segment on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. She told Anna-Louise “The winners are amazing, and I’ve been crying and laughing in equal measure this evening!”