Medals have been awarded by Blue Cross to animals and people who have demonstrated bravery or heroism . While the first medals were awarded to people who helped to rescue animals , medals were awarded in 1918 to honour a number of horses which had served in the First World War . Medals were then given out between 1940 and 1951 to a number of dogs , including Juliana who reportedly extinguished an incendiary bomb by urinating on it . In 2006 Jake , a police explosives dog , was given the honour after helping to clear out the London Underground after the 7 July 2005 London bombings . In 2017 , Staffordshire bull terrier Romeo received the Blue Cross Medal for being a therapy dog for stroke victims and dementia sufferers and donating blood
7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
Blue Cross (animal charity)