Lord Firebrand, an equine hero decorated in memory of Elizabeth II

A prestigious award…

First established in 2014, the Animal OBE, also known as the PDSA Order of Merit, is awarded to any animal who deserves recognition for exceptional acts of dedication to their owner or wider society and are considered examples of the exceptional relationship that animals and humans can have. The first edition of this award, founded in 2014, rewarded horses and dogs serving in the police, but pets or assistance animals can also be distinguished. Until recently the PDSA Order of Merit had been awarded to 54 animals, including 13 horses and 42 dogs, but this very exclusive list has just grown.

The exemplary military career of Lord Firebrand

According to the BBC, the horse that led the Queen’s coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall has indeed received the Animal OBE. Did his noble name predestine him to this honor? Lord Firebrand, Yogi for short, was indeed selected because of his exceptional devotion to the crown, not only for the funeral of the late sovereign, but for other royal events including the opening of Parliament, visits to State, Trooping the Color which is the official birthday of the king, or the platinum jubilee of Elizabeth II where Lord Firebrand opened the Parade.

Yogi, who played a key role in helping the nation mourn Queen Elizabeth II, was awarded the Animals OBE after a career of service. Matt Alexander/PA Wire

After an exemplary military career within the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery based in Woolwich, this superb bay-brown known for his composure in all circumstances, retired in December 2023. The association of the order declared that he had provided “unique emotional support” to his riders throughout his journey. Her rider at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, Captain Amy Cooper, said Yogi was the only horse she could trust to organize such a prestigious parade in such a professional manner, under such supervision and under such pressure. She added in an interview with the PDSA association which issues this award that “Yogi seemed to understand the importance of the event, that he is always the first choice of any parade commander {…} and that he a fundamentally kind and gentle soul.”

Hexagonal decorations

In France also, the state can pay tribute to animals for their service. Napoleon himself inaugurated this tradition by rewarding Mustache, soldier dog of the 40^th infantry regiment that served the army for 10 years. Charlot, then, was decorated with the Croix de Guerre for having saved several poilus buried in the trenches during the First World War. The highest canine military distinction in France nevertheless remains the National Defense gold medal. It was notably attributed to Fitas who foiled an ambush and scared away around fifteen rebels in Afghanistan in 2011 or to Kapa who, thanks to his senses, detected shells in an Afghan house in 2012.