East Sussex: Lifesaving Labrador shortlisted for 'Service Dog of the Year'

Seven-year-old Labrador Alfie has been assisting his owner, Naomi Whitehouse, since he was a young puppy.

He’s trained to pick items up, help Naomi dress and undress, and can even alert her to minute changes in her smell which indicate a serious health issue.

According to Naomi, Alfie has saved her life ‘more times than I care to count’ via medical alert.

Naomi has brittle type one diabetes, which means her glucose levels are ‘very erratic and unpredictable’.

“Alfie can sense the chemical change in my body via the smell of me,” she said.

"When Alfie senses a change in the chemicals he can alert me to the change, giving me time to act fast to prevent serious illness and even unconsciousness.

"Should I fall unconscious and I am in an emergency situation, Alfie knows how to get emergency help.”

Alfie has been nominated for dog food brand Benyfit Natural’s awards which ‘recognise exceptional dogs who enrich our lives’.

Speaking about why he’s worthy of the award, Naomi said: “[Alfie] has faced many challenging situations throughout his working life, alot of which your average dog would never encounter.

"He takes everything in his stride and faces everything with a huge smile and waggy tail.

"Not only does he assist me everyday but he makes many people smile and laugh as they watch his cheeky little character.”

Alfie is much-loved in Seaford and Eastbourne, where he and Naomi spend most of their time, and often attracts the attention of the public.

Naomi added: “Alfie is a very loveable character with a cheeky grin that never fails to make the public smile.

"He loves to wag his tail as a way of saying hello but it isn’t just his tail that wags, it’s his whole body!

Despite his hardworking nature, Alfie also enjoys playing with other dogs during his ‘days off’. He has to sleep with at least one cuddly toy every night, and enjoys eating the occasional bit of toast and cheese, according to Naomi.

Naomi added: “Alfie is so happy all the time that he wags his entire body so fast he falls over his own feet!"

To vote for Alfie, visit: https://benyfitnatural.co.uk/pages/dog-of-the-year-awards.

Follow Alfie on Instagram at: @assistancedogalfie.