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An army veteran and his "life-changing" service dog have been treated to a holiday in Jersey thanks to a local charity which provides trips to those injured physically or mentally during military service.
Veteran Mark Lanchbery and service dog Jerry have been in the island this week on a trip organised by Holidays for Heroes Jersey.
The charity, set up in 2008 by Richard and Dawn Woodhouse, provides holidays in Jersey for injured members of the UK Armed Forces.
It has welcomed over 4,000 guests to the island over the last 16 years.
However, Jerry is one of the most special visitors so far as he is one of only 24 dogs to ever receive the PDSA Order of Merit – known as the animal's OBE.
Pictured: Service dog Jerry can wake his owner from nightmares, control anxiety attacks, retrieve medications and clothing, and turn lights on and off.
His owner Mr Lanchbery, 60, suffered life-changing spinal injuries in 2008 while serving with the British Army.
Mr Lanchbery was discharged in 2011 and developed depression and PTSD. In 2015, charity Service Dogs UK gave him assistance dog Jerry.
Jerry helps his owner with his PTSD and physical disabilities. He can wake Mr Lanchbery from nightmares, control anxiety attacks, retrieve medications and clothing, and turn lights on and off.
The pair spoke to Express about their visit to the island this week.
Mr Lanchbery said: "This was a wonderful opportunity to visit the island, spend time with fellow veterans who have shared similar experiences and give Jerry and [my wife] Kelly a well-deserved break.
"We have been fascinated by the island's military history and particularly enjoyed the War Tunnels and Channel Islands Military Museum.
"For Jerry, the highlight has undoubtedly been let loose on the beaches first thing each morning."
Pictured: "Thanks to Jerry, I am able to control my demons and live a relatively normal life."
The veteran explained: "Without Jerry, I wouldn’t be in Jersey as he gives me the confidence to leave the house and explore the world and allows me to live a life that at the depths of my PTSD was totally incomprehensible
"We always knew Jerry was a life changer for us but for him to be recognised by the PDSA was wonderful and made me exceptionally proud.
"PTSD and other mental challenges are invisible but incredibly real.
"I have lived a rollercoaster life from being an active front-line member of the HM Armed Forces to the depths of depression and now thanks to Jerry, I am able to control my demons and live a relatively normal life."
Holidays for Heroes chair Richard Harwood said he was "delighted" that the "remarkable" pair agreed to holiday in Jersey.
He also spoke about "the incredible bond between Mark and Jerry" that "helps to create emotional and mental well-being for Mark, transforming his quality of life".
Holidays for Heroes Jersey also hosted its Annual Big Ride Out fundraiser last weekend, where bikers travelled from St Catherine’s Breakwater along the island's coastline before ending at the Watersplash to raise money for the charity.
Vet charity PDSA shared Jerry and Mark’s story in a video…
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