South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour Animal Welfare spokesperson Colin Smyth has given his full backing to a new free educational toolkit designed to educate primary and secondary school pupils about animals’ emotions and the power of the human-animal bond.

The Scottish SPCA launched the new toolkit in the Scottish Parliament last week, with the help of retired police dog, ‘Fabulous Finn’ and his owner and handler, PC Dave Wardell.

In 2016, Finn was viciously stabbed whilst on duty. When the attacker aimed a second blow at PC Dave Wardell, Finn dived in front of his handler, despite his life-threatening injuries, and saved Dave’s life. Finn went on to inspire Finn’s Law which brought more robust legal protections for service animals.

Colin Smyth said: “It was great to attend the launch of the toolkit and to meet with the Scottish SPCA and of course, Dave and Fabulous Finn.

“Finn and Dave’s story is inspirational and shows the bravery and loyalty our dogs are capable of.

“This toolkit is going to be a very important resource for our schools and I am happy to give this fantastic initiative my complete support.”

Finn’s handler and owner, PC Dave Wardell, said: “Fabulous Finn and I are enormously proud to be a part of this very important project with the Scottish SPCA.

“Animals have always been incredibly important to me when growing up with a parent who had mental health issues. We want to show children how important the human-animal relationship can be and how we can learn so much from our animals.”