The giant puppy opening up conversations

An English mastiff may not be the obvious choice for a therapy dog, but seven‑month‑old Bruce is proving a gentle giant can make a big impact.

Owner Gareth Evans, from Theale in Berkshire, takes the nine‑stone (57kg) puppy into schools, care homes, hospitals and community groups to support conversations around men's mental health.

He said Bruce's calm nature made him well‑suited to the work. While care home residents often find the visits "the highlight of their week", Gareth said some children could be taken aback by Bruce's size.

"It feels like a personal victory when a child is initially frightened but when you see them interacting, that's a big growth moment for them," he said.

English mastiffs are known for being affectionate and loyal, and Gareth expects Bruce to "double in size" to about 18 stone when fully grown.

During care home visits, residents are each given a treat to offer the dog.

"He collects his snack and stops at each person so they can pet and talk to him," Gareth said.

"The nice thing about it is, most of the elderly have dementia or Alzheimer's but they all remember when Bruce is visiting."

The visits are not just about bringing a smile to people's faces, but also opening up conversations about mental health.

Gareth now works for Open Doors Open Minds, a men's mental health charity founded by his friend Scott Allan.

"We focus on men's mental health because, statistically, they are more likely to keep things bottled up for longer," he said.

Scott, who was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), said the organisation aimed to bridge the gap between someone being in crisis and receiving official support.

They are now both, along with Bruce, on a mission to help others.

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