Dog of the Year | Southern Cross Pet Insurance

Nancy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Nancy wins a starring role in her own billboard, our stunning Pawsies trophy, a $500 Animates Gift Card and so much more!

Nancy will be 3 in May. She has worked/volunteered in our hospital twice a week since she was 12 weeks old as a canine companion. She LOVES her job! She’s employed by our DHB and has her own swipe access card. We have 4 wards in total that we visit, but our favourite and most rewarding would have to be ICU. Nancy is very loved and adored by patients and staff alike. She is somewhat famous as she has met many people over the years and we are often approached while out in public.

She seems to sense when we will encounter a “tough” day. She rests her head on my shoulder on the trip into the hospital. She “senses” when non-responsive patients would like a visit and sits at their door, not wanting to pass by. She brings so much love, joy and happiness to all she meets. And she willingly accepts without bias all injuries or illnesses she encounters. She is one very special Doctor Nancy. (I may be a tad biased)

Flash the Greyhound

Our greyhound Flash was a racing greyhound who ran over 150 races before fracturing his hock. He had quite a complicated recovery as his implant broke and he also developed an infection. Flash is a large greyhound, he's black and going grey early and he's rehabbed – all factors which make it harder to find a home, so he spent around 20 months with very good greyhound rehoming agencies and was the longest-standing resident at the one we adopted him from.

Despite all this, Flash is the sweetest-natured dog. He loves having two good walks a day, chasing a ball, meeting other dogs, taking part in greyhound group walks, attending 'pat and chat' events to promote greyhound adoption and sleeping. In a year when greyhound racing is ending and there are up to 2000 greyhounds needing to be re-homed, it would be great to see any greyhound – Flash or another – highlighted as your dog of the year to promote adoption of this lovely breed.

Skittles the Shepherd Dog

Skittles isn’t just my dog – she’s my family, a kind, fearless, and joyful companion whose calm, gentle nature inspires every dog she meets. Abandoned as a very sick and frightened puppy in a public toilet block, she had a hard start to life. She overcame fear and learned that love, patience, and gentle guidance can transform a life. Since joining my family, she has helped foster dogs build confidence, assisted in finding lost pets, and excelled alongside me in obedience, rally, and scent trial competitions.

Since 2021, she has worked alongside me at Pet Refuge, supporting dogs who have come from family violence situations. These dogs often arrive fearful and shut down, and Skittles helps them rebuild confidence encouraging them to engage, play, and experience positive interactions again, so they can move forward into safe, loving homes. Skittles shows that even dogs who have had a difficult start can thrive, inspire, and make a difference every day.

Paddington the Golden Retriever

Paddington has been a dedicated Canine Friends Pet Therapy dog since he turned one. He regularly visits rest homes, hospitals, schools, and community events, offering comfort, connection, and joy to people of all ages. Paddington's day begins early as he travels to visit rest homes, where he is greeted with excitement and warmth. He spends time with residents in lounges and private rooms, offering gentle companionship resting his head on laps, encouraging conversation, and lifting spirits. Many residents wait all week for his visits, finding comfort in his calm presence.

Paddington has a natural ability to sense emotions and respond with calm, gentle affection. During one visit, Paddington approached a withdrawn resident who hadn't spoken for months. Gently resting his head on the man's knee, he sparked a quiet moment that turned into conversation, memories, and smiles. From then on, the resident began engaging again, all thanks to Paddington's quiet, powerful presence.

Lace the German Shepherd

When someone goes missing, every minute matters. Families wait in fear, hoping someone will find the person they love. Lace helps make that possible. Lace is a seven-year-old operational Land Search and Rescue dog who searches New Zealand’s toughest terrain for the lost, the missing and the injured. Through freezing nights, dense bush and relentless weather, she follows a human scent that no person can detect.

Behind every search is a family waiting for news. Lace doesn’t know their names or their stories. She only knows someone out there needs to be found, and she will not stop until they are. When Lace locates a missing person, the moment is powerful: relief, tears, and the words every family hopes to hear “We’ve found them”. Lace may look like an ordinary dog, but to the people she helps bring home, she is something extraordinary: hope when it matters most.

Meet our Dog of the Year 2025

Foz the Huntaway cross

Foz has had a ruff year as a 2 year old! Last year he scratched my arm which drew my attention to a strange mole - it turned out to be melanoma and I am forever grateful to him for saving me. He was then diagnosed with a cancerous tumour himself, underwent three surgeries and lots of testing and came out clear!

I think we came into each others lives for a reason - to rescue each other. This year he had two seizures and is now being tested for epilepsy and brain cancer and we will do everything we can to fight for him <3

Crowning NZ’s best dogs, cats, and vet clinic teams of the year!

Meet our Dog of the Year