A canine charity based in East Hampshire has received national recognition for its life-affirming work with the Armed Forces community.

The pawsome Hounds for Heroes team were celebrating on Thursday (September 17) as the Ramsdean charity was one of 12 winners at the Soldiering On Awards 2026.

The good cause won the Animal Partnership Award at the annual showpiece, also known as The Armed Forces Community Awards, held at Park Plaza Westminster.

The charity founded by Clanfield veteran Allen Parton trains and provides assistance dogs for injured and disabled personnel from the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.

The audience heard the charity is built around the “power of the human-animal bond” with its dogs being carefully trained to carry out practical tasks and provide emotional wellbeing.

The charity was represented by Sean Turner, Head of Dog Selection, and their newest partnership – Ryan and his assistance dog, Comet.

“Winning an award like this from such a prestigious organisation is huge – it just means that we can reach out and help more people,” said Sean.

Guests at the event hosted by Jeremy Vine also heard the partnership has been “completely life-changing” for Ryan with Comet helping with everyday tasks like fetching the post and retrieving lost keys while providing constant companionship.

Mr Parton was also thrilled his charity received the accolade.

He said: “About 15 years ago we won a Soldiering On award – we were a young charity then and didn’t have any dogs but to get recognition from the Armed Forces community was incredible.

“To get recognition again, by our own, is really quite amazing, and I hope it gives the public confidence to invest in what we’re doing.

“It was a real privilege to win and in our own mindset it makes us feel what we’re doing is right.”