A FUNDRAISER has been launched to fund a vital operation for a dog that helps to support bereaved families.

Murphy, who is just 11 months old, has been helping owner Sarah Yorke in her role as a funeral director in Dunfermline.

The puppy provides bereaved families with comfort as they plan funerals for their loved ones.

Sarah, from Kincardine, noticed some lameness in Murphy's back leg around a month ago and, after several visits to the vet, it was discovered that Murphy has severe hip dysplasia and will require an operation on both hips.

Despite being insured, the insurance will not even cover a quarter of what is required, with the operation costing £8,000 per hip.

Murphy will be hoping to pass his Therapet test when he turns one year old in May to becoming a certified bereavement dog.

The pup appears to be well-suited to the support role, having helped families who are going through funeral planning.

Sarah recalled a daughter who had just lost her mum and had been having some difficulty. Then Murphy stepped in.

"It was quite a harrowing thing," Sarah told the Advertiser. "The daughter had come to the desk for a leaflet and saw Murphy sleeping under the desk."

When the daughter asked to see the dog, Sarah obliged. Murphy has been taught to rest his head on people's laps and not move until he's told.

Sarah added: "Just having his head on her lap, and her stroking him, that was enough for her to talk about what coffin she wanted, what flowers her mum liked.

"It was a healthy distraction and it helped take her mind off things.

"He's a very, very calm puppy. He's extremely calm and he'll just sit there and be a good support."

Another family came all the way from St Andrews, as they had heard of the emotional support Murphy can offer.

Unfortunately, it was not long before Murphy's health problems came to the fore.

The dog appeared to be struggling at times, with vets urging rest. Sarah, however, knew there was something else going on.

She added: "Everybody loves the pup and he's the laziest pup going.

"The vet thought he had pulled a muscle. He was rested for a couple of weeks.

"He was running about again but I wasn't completely convinced."

After a visit to a different vet, Sarah took him out for a walk but he came home limping on three legs.

"I phoned the vet that night," she continued. "They said: 'See how he goes for a week'.

"I said no. I'm not happy, x-Ray him. There's something wrong."

After the x-ray, the vet phoned Sarah and told her it was the worst case she had seen in more than 10 years.

Murphy now needs a life-saving operation and Sarah is hoping the wider community will back her crowdfunder.

She added: "It's taken a lot for me [to start a Go Fund Me], because you've got Covid and everything that's happening in Ukraine.

"Everything's just going up in price and people just don't have spare cash.

"I get it, I don't have spare cash either.

"I am a very proud woman but pride comes before a fall and I have to try something."

Visit gofundme.com/f/djuuus-life-saving-operationto donate to Murphy's operation.