Award-winning rescue dog Max honoured by Queen’s after life-saving search and rescue work

Max Gray, from K9 Search and Rescue, is pictured with owner Ryan. Max was awarded Animal of the Year for gallantry in Public Service

An award-winning search and rescue dog from Northern Ireland has been recognised by Queen’s University Belfast for his bravery and public service, with Max Gray receiving the University’s Animal of the Year award after helping locate missing people both at home and overseas.

The specially trained search dog, who works alongside handler Ryan Gray as part of K9 Search & Rescue NI, was presented with an honorary “dog-torate” and named Animal of the Year for Gallantry in Public Service during Queen’s University’s second pet graduation ceremony.

The honour recognises Max’s work searching for missing and trapped people in emergency situations using his highly specialised scent detection skills. Last month, he was deployed to Venezuela following a major earthquake as part of an international search and rescue response.

Max Gray was awarded Animal of the Year for gallantry in public service

Max

Ryan Gray described the recognition as a proud moment after years of dedicated service.

“To say I’m proud of him would be an understatement. So, so chuffed for him, and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving dog.”

K9 Search & Rescue NI said the award reflected the enormous commitment Max has shown throughout his career.

The voluntary organisation said Max has “given everything in the service of others”, helping search for missing people while working alongside dedicated volunteers across numerous operations.

The citation accompanying the award stated:

“Gallantry and public service are foundational concepts of civic virtue and duty. Together, they represent personal sacrifice and the dedication of one’s life or time to the greater good of the community and the nation.”

Max Gray, from K9 Search and Rescue, is pictured with owner Ryan.

The organisation added:

“Well done, Max. You may not understand what this award means, but everyone who has had the privilege of working with you certainly does.”

Celebrating the role pets play

Max’s award formed part of Queen’s University Belfast’s second annual pet graduation ceremony, held following the University’s recent recognition as the UK’s University of the Year at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards.

The light-hearted event celebrated the important role pets can play in supporting students through university life, with dogs, cats and even a pygmy goat walking the red carpet before collecting novelty “pet-ificates” in subjects including Furensic Science, Barkaeology and Anthropawlogy.

Greta the goat arrives at her graduation alongside her family

Greta the pygmy goat graduated with a degree in Farmaceutical Science

Luna King received a Bachelor of Science in Furensic Science

Missy Watson graduated in Furensic Science

Lucy Conway pictured with her family as she receives a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropawlogy

Lucy Conway received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropawlogy

Tilly Ward BA is pictured with owner Eimear Marie as she graduates in Law and Pawlitics

Research has shown that spending time with animals can help reduce stress and improve concentration, prompting Queen’s to continue the initiative after launching what it described as the UK’s first pet graduation ceremony in 2024.

Among those taking part was Law graduate Eimear Marie Kelly Ward, whose six-year-old Labradoodle, Tilly, supported both her studies and her family’s caring responsibilities.

She said:

“She didn’t just watch me earn my law degree, she actively helped me cross the finish line and I’m so happy to see her be recognised for everything she’s done for us.”

Greta the pygmy goat graduated with a degree in Farmaceutical Science

Another graduate, Hollye Hamilton, attended with her pygmy goat Greta.

She said:

“Greta was there for every stressful assignment, exam and dissertation meltdown, always ready to make me laugh. She may not have written a single essay or cited any references, but she was the best emotional support I could have asked for.”

Recognising every kind of support

Professor Judy Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at Queen’s University Belfast, said the event recognised that success at university often depends on many different forms of support.

Henry Smith-Irwin celebrates with his owners as he graduates with a degree in Furensic Pawthology

Charlie Stewart celebrates with his owners as he graduates with a degree in Barkeology

Nova Thompson graduates in Barketing

Tobias Araujo and owner Naara celebrate his graduation in Furensic Pawthology

Miso Matcha Mumtaz gets ready to graduate at Queen's

Miso Matcha Mumtaz celebrates with his owners as he receives a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Pawlitics

Maverick McMillan is pictured with owner Rebecca as he graduates in Barkaeology

Nova Thompson celebrates with her owners as she graduates in Barketing

Lyra Legge, Furensic Science graduate, is pictured with owner Emily

Hugh Clark graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Furensic Science

Barker Crossley celebrates with owner Ursula as he receieves a Bachelor of Science in Barkaeoloy

Cookie Hanna is pictured with owner Chloe after receiving a degree in Pawlitical Science

Enid O'Hare, Pawlitical Science graduate

Enid O'Hare, Pawlitical Science graduate, is pictured with her owner Emma

Pablo Magill, Barkeaology graduate, is pictured with his proud owner Eva

She said:

“At Queen’s, we know that student success is rarely achieved alone. Behind every graduate is a network of support that helps them navigate both the opportunities and challenges of university life.”

She added that, for many students, pets provide “comfort, routine and emotional support during periods of challenge”, helping them maintain balance throughout their studies.

While the ceremony celebrated pets of every kind, this year’s highest honour recognised something far beyond companionship.

Max

For Max and his handler Ryan Gray, it was acknowledgement of years spent serving communities, often in the most difficult circumstances, where a rescue dog’s extraordinary abilities can make the difference between hope and heartbreak.