A BOURNEMOUTH woman has been royally praised for her extensive volunteering.

Eunice Howard has been awarded the Order of Mercy for her distinguished voluntary service over many years.

The League of Mercy was founded by the Prince of Wales and began in 1899, it celebrated the encouragement and recognition of voluntary work in hospitals.

Eunice was picked from 30 applicants for her hard work and determination to volunteering.

The ceremony took place at The Mansion House in London.

Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia was present along with many other distinguished guests.

The Rt Hon the Lord Lingfield, President of the League of Mercy, said: “Mrs Howard has done extraordinary work for those most in need.

“She is a marvellous example of someone whose longstanding and voluntary dedication to the service and welfare of others is noteworthy and remarkable and we were delighted to be able to make this well-deserved award to her.”

The 79-year-old reminisced on her volunteering days at Caring Canines, a dog therapy service, she said: “You just become part of their family, really. It's just lovely.”

During Eunice’s time at Caring Canines, she looked after Tia, a therapy dog that sadly passed away last year at the age of 14.

Eunice added: “I had a retriever who loved people, she'd go up to everybody's bed without asking. She was very special. And when you've got a dog like that, it's just lovely to share them, isn't it?

“It's very hard when you've had a dog all your life, and I lost my husband four years ago, so with just me here now, it's quite hard.

"My dog gave as much to patients as I did, which is lovely.”

She said: “I did schoolwork as well, where you go in with children and help them read if they've got reading problems.

“And sitting with the dog, they do so much better because there's no one telling them what to do or that's wrong or it's just lovely.”

She would also like to give special thanks to Sue Dennett, the coordinator of Caring Canines, for her nomination of Eunice for the award.