The pet I’ll never forget: Nya, the therapy dog who makes everyone smile

‘We can read each other’s energy’ … Stephen and Nya taking a dip. Photographs: Stephen O’Callaghan Photograph: Stephen O’Callaghan

I got Nya, a German shepherd, when she was a puppy. She has such a good temperament – she’s really calm around people.

When she was five years old, I decided to register her with Pets As Therapy, an organisation that brings therapy pets into hospitals, care homes, schools and other places to befriend people, and help reduce stress and anxiety.