Romeo's owner Steph Hartley first noticed he was special at five-months-old
Usually excitable, the puppy would help calm sick dogs and her ill grandmother
That gave postman Ms Hartley, 29, the idea to use him as a therapy dog
Romeo visits patients in hospital and has been awarded the Blue Cross Medal
A Staffordshire bull terrier which visits victims of strokes and dementia sufferers has been awarded the Blue Cross Medal.
Romeo, who belongs to Steph Hartley from Welwyn Garden City, also gives blood to help other ill dogs as well as his work as a therapy dog.
Ms Hartley, a postman, said she realised Romeo was special when as a five-month-old puppy, he changed when he was around another puppy with cancer.
Usually hyperactive and bouncy, he became calm to avoid stressing the sick dog.
When he was around Ms Hartley's grandmother, then 92, he was the same, and even helped cure her niece and nephews' fear of dogs.
This gave Ms Hartley, 29, the idea of using Romeo as a therapy dog and the 65lb pet makes regular trips to a hospital and care home to put smiles on the faces of residents.
Romeo's heroics, which also includes a quarterly trip to the Royal Veterinary Hospital to give blood, has resulted in him being awarded the prestigious Blue Cross Medal.
Ms Hartley said: 'He goes to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage to see the stroke victims and to a care home, where he gives cuddles and performs tricks. Staff at the care home say the dementia patients remember him.
'He's such a special and kind dog. It just seems to be built into him to take care of people.
'He adores people and exercise, so he really enjoys all the things we do together, from visiting hospitals to going on runs and doing agility together - he's a real ambassador for his breed.