This one-eyed dog helps people in a unique way

Border collie puppy Jack was struggling to find someone who would accept him with one eye when Judith Hulse 'fell in love' with him and trained him to be a therapy dog in Liverpool hospitals. Now, this crippled dog with a big heart is giving smiles to people in hospitals and schools all throughout Liverpool.

Drunk on Jack Daniels

Judith saw Jack Daniels on a Facebook advertisement, fell in love with his sad little face and adopted him instantly. Judith took him into her mother's care facility when he was five years old and noticed how much the elderly enjoyed spending time with him. She then registered him as a therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Nationwide because of his calm demeanour and calming attitude. Jack is currently a volunteer with them and visits Southport Hospital and Queenscourt Hospice regularly to brighten up the staff and patients in critical care. Judith explained:

Jack isn't your typical border collie at all. He's the complete opposite, very calm and easy-going.

Jack's missing eye is a fantastic icebreaker for kids, and they are immediately drawn towards him. Judith added:

We could be in a critical care unit with people at the end of their lives. Families will be sat around the bed and seeing a one-eyed dog helps to break the tension.

He helps them relax and open up, and I like to think he's done a good deed before they go on to an appointment or operation.

After reaching the final of BBC1's Pooch Perfect last year, Jack has become something of a national celebrity, as well as a local favourite.

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Therapy dogs

Therapy dogs are specially trained to bring comfort and affection to individuals in hospitals, retirement homes, hospices, nursing homes, schools, and disaster regions, as well as persons with autism. They participate in animal-assisted activities and therapy with their owners. Any breed of dog can be a therapy dog provided they have the necessary attitude. These canines must be fully certified and temperament tested. Therapy dogs must be able to:

• Keep a cool head
• Be at ease in busy or stressful situations
• Should not shed excessively
• Have an intention to cheer people up
• Be well socialised

They must be sociable, confident, and gentlein all situations, as well as comfortable and satisfied with being petted and handled awkwardly at times. In addition, the dog must be able to be raised or supported onto a person's lap or bed and must be able to sit or rest comfortably there.