PREVIEW: The Supervet (Series 16), Channel 4

The nation's favourite vet, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, returns for a new run, featuring the extraordinary work of his unique veterinary practice where families bring their beloved animals to receive the finest specialist care.

This new run starts with a special episode and one of the most emotional and heart-rending stories ever filmed: the story of Noel's dog, Keira. It's been 15 years since Noel began expanding the boundaries of veterinary medicine at his practice in Surrey, and his soulmate - the inimitable 'ball of furry joy' Border terrier Keira, who's 13 - has been by his side all the way.

This special programme follows every intense, fraught and dramatic step of Keira's fight for life - from just after the accident through each emotional stage of her treatment - as a distraught Noel and his team jump into action and stabilise her life-threatening injuries. Keira has sustained a ruptured abdominal lining and urinary bladder, a crushed sacrum and pelvis and a dislocated hip, so Noel's colleagues work tirelessly to repair extensive internal damage.

After two blood transfusions and days of intensive care, Noel faces an agonising wait to determine not only what intricate surgery may be possible for her skeleton, but also whether Keira will be able to withstand the procedures which could allow her to walk again. Noel devises a custom implant to repair her broken bones and prepares to operate on his best friend.

Alongside this special episode, the whole of series 16 will be available to watch or download for free on All 4, on 27 May following the transmission of this episode.