A THERAPY dog that helps adults and children overcome phobias is looking to win a national title.

Joan Corner, from Kelloe, near Durham, has nominated Pug for The Golden Bonio Awards 2003, which honours Britain's top dogs.

She entered her pet for the work he does for the charity Pets as Therapy.

Joan said Pug's patient and gentle temperament meant he was ideal for working for the charity, visiting mentally and physically disabled people, and helping people overcome their fear of dogs.

Pug instinctively senses those who need him most and leans his head against their knees, or rests it on their feet.

Joan said: "He's working with a little boy who is phobic and he's started getting him more confident around dogs. Once he was secure with Pug, he moved up to bigger dogs.

"Basically, it's a case of being extremely patient and not demanding of people when you are working with someone with a phobia."

Thanks to Pug, the youngsters can now touch dogs without any hesitation.

Pug is vying for a place on the competition shortlist.

If picked by the manufacturers of Bonio dog biscuits, Joan and Pug will travel to an awards ceremony in London on March 18, where they could win the top prize of £1,000.