Looks can be deceiving. What may appear to be nothing more than a soft-toy, dressed up in several outlandish – yet adorable – outfits, it actually a prized pooch who is making a difference across the county.

Doug the Pug is a six-year-old therapy and reading dog who lives with his owner, Cate Archer, in Beaconsfield.

Doug helps children and adults with problems such as anxiety and low self-confidence but - as Cate tell me - he is far from a one-trick dog.

“Doug can help if people are low on confidence but also he can be used as a reward. He is very versatile, there is no one single reason why he is used.

“Doug is a great motivator and works with children across the great spectrum of academic ability. He is incredibly gentle and incredibly calm.

“He loves his work at schools in Bucks and has been headhunted by a local Pupil Referral Unit to attend their nurture groups - He's a busy boy.”

Doug – who works through the Saunderton-based charity Pets As Therapy – makes weekly visits to pupils at Chalfont St. Giles infant and junior schools and well as residents at Pratt House care home in Amersham and Amersham Hospital.

But his busy schedule is due to get even busier in the New Year. Doug was recently headhunted to work at a pupil referral unit in Amersham from January - and he even has a book coming out which he will be promoting at Crufts in March.

On top of all of this, Doug’s owner Cate – who has a background in teaching numeracy and literacy to people with learning difficulties – has grander plans for her furry friend in the future.

“What I would really like to get involved in is something which they are starting to do in the USA,” she added.

“They are starting to use therapy dogs in courts for cases involving clinical witnesses in order to improve evidence. Pugs are very hearty dogs and I definitely think this is the sort of thing that Doug could be used for.

“I think the evidence would be more accurate and reliable if children were able to have Doug with them in court – I think that would be great.”

But before Doug can think about bringing criminals to justice, Bucks’ miracle dog will be working hard to help those in need – and to pose for the occasional snap. Good boy.