Skye pictured with her prestigious PDSA Order of Merit.

Border collie Skye has been honoured for 11 years of service. 

A mountain rescue search dog, who battled treacherous conditions and completed more than 200 callouts, has been awarded an 'animal OBE' in recognition of her outstanding devotion and service to society.

Border collie Skye received the prestigious PDSA Order of Merit on Thursday (31 March) 'for an 11-year career of distinguished service with Mountain Search and Rescue Teams in the Lake District'. 

Skye and her handler John Leadbetter searched day and night in all weathers, supporting the Lake District Mountain Rescue Teams (MRT) to locate missing people. 

Her most notable rescues include a family that had become disorientated on a mountain summit as darkness fell. The MRT located the family at the summit, and Skye provided support and comfort to one of the children as they descended the mountain. 

Skye also assisted in a 72-hour search for a missing lone walker on England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. She and John scoured and cleared vast tracts of land in treacherous conditions until they finally located the walker.

PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: “We’re incredibly proud to be honouring Skye with our PDSA Order of Merit. Her exceptional skills and outstanding devotion above and beyond that of normal companionship make her a very worthy recipient, and we feel this is a fitting tribute to her lifetime of dedication and hard work."

Skye has also provided valuable community outreach as an ambassador for Search Dogs throughout her career. She helped raise funds for the Search Dogs and Mountain Rescue Teams and gave demonstrations of her skills to schools, youth groups and scouts.

Her final callout took place in 2020 when she was 14-years-old for a search coordinated by Kendal MSR. Her team credited her with being the oldest and longest-serving search dog in the Lake District and possibly the whole of the UK. 

Today, Skye is enjoying her retirement with John and his family and still enjoys getting out onto the hills and the fells – albeit at a slightly slower pace! 

Reacting to the award, John said: “Skye means everything to me, she’s my best friend on the fells, and we’re life-long partners. To see her receive the PDSA Order of Merit is a truly humbling and touching experience, and it’s a wonderful recognition of the time and hard work that Search Dogs and their teams dedicate to mountain safety. To say we’re chuffed is an understatement!” 

“Her long and distinguished career has not only seen her protect and help people in danger, her ambassadorial work has helped to raise important funds and increase awareness of the incredible work these Mountain Rescue Teams perform.” 

Image (C) PDSA.