A dog from Orpington who visits care homes and schools could be named top dog in a national competition.

Owner Lois Hyett, 62, was delighted when Gunner, a three-year-old German Shepherd, made it into the final stages of the HiLife Pets as Therapy (PAT) Dog of the Year 2014/15.

Gunner makes special visits to provide a therapeutic and comforting presence for people, as part of charity PAT.

Mrs Hyett, from Poverest, said: "We have just started to visit a couple of primary schools, Blenheim Primary and St Mary Cray Primary, on the read2dogs programme.

"Hopefully his calming presence will give confidence to those children that struggle with reading.

"Gunner and I regularly visit two care homes, Ashling Lodge and Heatherwood. We see different people each time we visit and certainly he brightens their day.

"He greets the residents and will do a little trick while waiting for a treat, then he lays quietly at our feet while we have a chat.

"We also visit Tidebrook Residential Unit and Bromley Healthcare Rehabilitation Unit."

Mrs Hyett said she bought Gunner as a retirement present for herself, after she stopped working for the NHS.

After discovering his mild temperament, she signed him up to be a PAT dog when he was old enough, and said: "There's lots of prejudice about his breed, I want to show people that German Shepherds, or Alsatians as they're known, can be gentle too."

Gunner will learn if he has been crowned top dog at Crufts early next year, where the winner will receive a £500 cheque and three months supply of dog food.

Mrs Hyett added: "I am thrilled, delighted and proud of my beautiful boy becoming a finalist.

"We’re so proud to be nominated as finalists and can’t wait until the big day."

For more information visit www.yours.co.uk/PATDogVote