Volunteers' week: Celebrating our fantastic puppy walkers

As part of Volunteers' Week, we want to celebrate the amazing people who give up their time to support West Midlands Police. Our puppy walkers volunteer their time and even their homes as they welcome our trainee police dogs into their lives.

Louise Stokes has been a puppy walker for more than 15 years volunteering her time and helping to raise more than 50 police dogs. To recognise her amazing contribution, Louise has been presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

From Cocker Spaniels to Belgian Malinois, they have joined Louise and her family for the first six to 12 months of their lives, with many going on to become fantastic police dogs. Including Chip, our first ever data dog.

Chip went on to have a successful seven-year career as a digital police dog before returning to Louise and her family to enjoy his well-earned retirement. Chip's not alone though.

As Louise has welcomed 12-week-old Boost a Springer Spaniel from our Cadbury litter and one-year-old Ozzy from our Black Sabbath litter. Dave Raymond Breed Scheme Manager said: “Louise has gone above and beyond for our dog unit and for West Midlands Police.

The support she has continued to provide the force is invaluable. “Louise is always willing to help us out and is a big supporter of our dog unit and police dogs which means everything to us.

“She is truly amazing and we are so happy she’s been recognised for her dedication and commitment. “We couldn’t do this without our amazing puppy walkers.

We have some of the best police dogs in the world and part of that is down to them.”