Dianne Angell’s 3-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Nancy, aka ‘‘Dogtor Nancy’’, is the face of this billboard after winning this year’s Southern Cross Pet Insurance Dog of the Year award. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH A Dunedin dog’s ‘‘celebrity status’’ has soared to the size of a billboard after being crowned New Zealand’s top canine. Nancy, a 3-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was yesterday announced as the winner of this year’s Southern Cross Pet Insurance Dog of the Year award. Nancy is a regular visitor to Dunedin Hospital wards, including the intensive care unit, offering comfort and companionship to patients, families and healthcare staff. She even has her very own ID card and an official title: ‘‘Dogtor Nancy’’. Dianne Angell, Nancy’s owner, said she was ‘‘elated’’ upon discovering her dog had won. ‘‘Tears were streaming down my face, and I was like, ‘oh, my God, she won’.’’ There were more than 800 nominations across the country for Dog of the Year. Voting for that award, as well as Cat of the Year, closed late last month. The winning pets will each receive a billboard in their hometown starring themselves, a trophy with matching collar tag, a $500 voucher, a virtual training package with an animal expert and a custom illustrated pet portrait. Nancy had been volunteering at Dunedin Hospital since she was 12 weeks old and was well-known throughout the community, Mrs Angell said. ‘‘Already her celebrity status has stepped up. ‘‘We got into the lift last week, and one of the orderlies who was pushing a patient in a wheelchair said ‘oh, we’re going to share the lift with a celebrity’.’’ Nancy had been a special dog right from the beginning. ‘‘It’s lovely to know that she’s made such a difference in people’s lives.’’ Southern Cross Pet Insurance chief marketing officer Melodie Vickars said Nancy appealed to many voters because of her character and giving nature. ‘‘Dogtor Nancy shows the comfort and connection pets can bring in life’s hardest moments, from her weekly hospital rounds to the sunshine she brings patients and staff.’’ The billboard, overlooking Andersons Bay Rd, went live at 11am yesterday and will be up until Thursday. The winner of Cat of the Year was cross-eyed domestic shorthair Barney, of Auckland. tim.scott@odt.co.nz
