Thirteen-year-old therapy dog Max, who is joined daily on his Lake District walks and swims by thousands via Facebook Live, has been awarded the PDSA order of merit, which recognises animals that “display outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society, above and beyond companionship.”.

Max’s owner, Kerry Irving, said the springer spaniel was his ‘reason to live’ (Picture: PA)A virtual therapy dog is being honoured with the animal equivalent of an OBE after comforting more than 10,000 people around the world.