Publisher: New Holland Publishers

In March 1944, deep in the New Guinean jungle, a little Yorkshire Terrier was found hiding in a foxhole. Her presence there was a mystery, but American soldier Bill Wynne became her new owner. He named her Smoky, never dreaming that his little mate would turn out to be quite so extraordinary. When he fell ill with dengue fever, Bill asked to have Smoky by his side and she was soon visiting other soldiers on the ward, bringing happiness to the sick and wounded. This experience inspired Bill to visit injured soldiers with Smoky while on leave in Australia and she is recognised today as the first therapy dog of record.

About Nigel Allsopp

Nigel Allsopp born in the United Kingdom started his Military Career as a Military Working Dog Handler in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Police in 1980. Within his 15 years service he rose to the rank of DOGMASTER responsible for all aspects of Canine Operations and training within the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). During his service he was a Military Working Dog Handler, a specialist Narcotic detection dog handler and an Explosive detection handler at various times. He became the first Military Dog trainer to qualify as a NZ Civilian Police dog trainer and supervisor. Nigel has trained numerous Government Agencies such as Customs, Police, Corrective Service and Federal Aviation Security in the use of specialist dogs. Nigel has also trained and supplied specialist detection dogs and Military Working Dogs to South East Asian Countries on behalf of formal government requests whilst in the NZDF.