The animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross instituted in 1943 by the PDSA’s founder Maria Dickin CBE.
The PDSA’s Medal is the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict. It is recognised worldwide and it acknowledges outstanding acts of bravery or devotion to duty displayed by animals serving within the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units in any theatre of war throughout the world.

Since it was instituted the Medal has been awarded 69 times since 1943, it has also been issued as an Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal which was awarded back in 2014 to War Horse Warrior for the 100th anniversary of the Great War to remember all the War Horses who served.

The Medal seen attached is a large bronze medallion bearing the words
“For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” all within a laurel wreath.
The ribbon is in three stripes with green and dark brown representing the land and blue for water and air to symbolise the naval, land and air forces which along they served.

During the War Years of 1939 to 1945 the charities founder Maria Dickin CBE was made aware of the incredible acts of bravery displayed by animals on active service not just on the battlefield but on the Home Front.

The recipients come from far and wide which comprise of 32 dogs, 32 pigeons, 4 horses and 1 cat.

One of the unique issues the esteemed PDSA Medal was to a Collie dog called Rob, war dog number 471/332. He took part in the landings of North Africa with an infantry unit and it was not exciting enough for him, he later on served with distinction with an elite Special Air Service unit in Italy patrolling and on constant guard with smaller detachments lying up behind enemy lines.
His presence with the troops saved many of them from discovery or capture or even destruction.
Rob also made over 20 parachute descents earning him the honorary prized SAS blue wings and certificate seen in the photograph attached, it was awarded on the 22nd of January 1945.

Sources :
PDSA
The Military Times
Historic U.K.