The Heart to Heart Blog

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Theo - a Hero

by John - 23:21 on 06 September 2012

Theo and L/Cpl. Liam Tasker (Image Crown Copyright)

The heroic actions of Military Working Dog Theo, a black and white English Springer Spaniel, who died just hours after his handler was killed in Afghanistan in March 2011, are to be honoured with the posthumous presentation of the PDSA Dickin Medal – the animals’ Victoria Cross.

The PDSA's Dicken Medal is the highest award any animal can receive in recognition of conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty in saving human life while serving in a military conflict.

Theo was deployed with his handler Lance Corporal Liam Tasker as part of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps’s 1st Military Working Dog Regiment during conflict in Afghanistan in 2011.  Their role was to provide search and clearance   support, uncovering hidden weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomb-making equipment.  During his time in Afghanistan Theo made 14 confirmed operational finds, the most any Arms and Explosives Search dog in Afghanistan has found to date.

On 1 March 2011, Theo and Lance Corporal Tasker were on a mission in support of the Irish Guards in the Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand, when a fire-fight broke out, killing Lance Corporal Tasker. Theo was wounded and when being taken back to Bastion he started having seizures, but despite immediate first aid and veterinary treatment he unfortunately died.

The partnership of Lance Corporal Tasker and Theo, said by colleagues to be ‘inseparable’, had been hugely successful: they uncovered 14 home-made bombs and hoards of weapons in just five months, which certainly helped prevent hundreds of deaths.

A British Army spokesman said - "Theo’s actions saved many soldiers and innocent civilians from death and serious injury."

L/Cpl Tasker and Theo pass through Wootton Bassett

In the citation to the Medal award, PDSA Director General Jan McLoughlin said -

“We are very proud to posthumously award Theo the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest award any animal can receive for life-saving bravery in conflict.
Theo’s exceptional devotion to duty as a Military Working Dog in Afghanistan saved countless human lives.
The award of this medal, recognised worldwide as the Animals’ Victoria Cross, honours his service in life and his sacrifice in death. It serves as a very poignant reminder of the loyal companionship and dedication of man’s best friend.”

Theo’s posthumous presentation will be only the 28th canine award (and 64th animal award) since the introduction of the Dicken Medal during WWII.

[Ed - Inca my B&W English Springer Spaniel may never be a hero, but she is without question a loyal and dedicated companion and most certainly man's best friend]

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