'My dog saved my life – I owe her everything'

Animal advocate and former Love Islander Faye Winter on Pet Anxiety Month and how her dog helped her own mental health

- YASMIN VINCE

They say a dog is a man's best friend, but golden retriever Bonnie is so much more than that for Faye Winter. For her, she “saved her life”. The former Love Island star, 30, got her pooch in 2022, after severe struggles with her mental health following a stint in the famous villa in 2021. During the show, a heated debate with Teddy Soares sparked debate over Faye's behaviour and 24,763 complaints were made to regulator Ofcom.

What viewers didn't see, of course, was how deeply Faye, from Exeter, was affected by the backlash when the cameras stopped rolling. She was left with severe anxiety, but thanks to therapy and the unconditional love of Bonnie, as well as a menagerie of other animals (she also has cats Paddy and Pebbles, and horses Kevin, Keith and Arnie), she found a way through.

Now, Faye is spending Pet Anxiety Month giving back. For years, she has been fighting for animal welfare and, this March, she is fronting a campaign with Adaptil and Feliway, for diffusers designed to reduce stress for dogs and cats And as she tells us, pets can save us – and we can save them, in return.

Hi, Faye! You have quite the collection of pets at home. What's your favourite memory with them?