The Dickin Medal

 

The Dickin Medal

Maria Dickin founded the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) in 1917 in a cellar in Whitechapel, London.

Through her social work in the slums of London’s East End, Mia, as she was known, quickly realised that animals suffered as much as their poverty-stricken owners. Veterinary treatment was beyond the means of the poor and so she put a notice outside her basement, which said, “Bring your sick animals. Do not let them suffer. All animals treated. All treatment free.”

She had no veterinary training. Before her marriage she had given singing lessons! Most of the helpers at her clinic were volunteers and initially her efforts were opposed by the veterinary profession, who declared that her work was dangerous. Her response was to suggest that they help rather than hinder her.

By 1921, there were seven PDSA clinics across London and in that year, she added a horse-drawn clinic. Within the first decade of the foundation of the PDSA, there were 57 new clinics, including in Europe and the Middle East, and three mobile clinics. In 1928 she opened a rest home for horses and donkeys and a year later she founded a children’s club, called Busy Bees, with the focus on animal welfare. She also created a training centre for veterinary students, on the site of what is now a modern PDSA Pet Hospital.

In recognition of her pioneering work, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1929 and became a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1948.

In 1943, during World War II, she introduced the PDSA medal for animal valour. This is now known as the Dickin Medal and is considered the animal kingdom equivalent of the Victoria Cross. It was awarded between 1943 and 1949 to 75 animals.  In 2000, it was decided to restore the medal, and since then 20 dogs and two horses have been honoured. (Correct at time of writing, in 2024.)

It is awarded to animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units who have shown conspicuous gallantry, devotion to duty and loyalty, or to any animal in civilian life who has demonstrated outstanding courage and selflessness.

An award honouring the service of all animals in the First World War was conferred in 2014.

The Dickin Medal is made of bronze and has engraved on it, within a laurel wreath, the words, ‘For Gallantry’ and ‘We Also Serve’. On the reverse are details of the recipient. The ribbon on which it hangs is striped green, brown and blue, to represent sea, earth and air. 

Maria Dickin died in 1951, aged 80. A blue commemorative plaque marks her birthplace in Hackney.