Disabled woman gets canine carer

Wendy says her son Joel 'can have his childhood back'

A disabled woman from Surrey has become the first person to have a dog carer paid for by social services.

Labrador Indie helps Wendy Plues with tasks as varied as undressing, loading the washing machine, and even going to the cash machine.

Surrey County Council pays her just £8 a week for dog food and vet fees - saving them £23,000 a year in care costs.

Mrs Plues, from Woking, says the dog has changed her life and that of her 10-year-old son, Joel, who previously often took the role of her primary carer.

New scheme

Mrs Plues, 35, suffers from rheumatic joint hypermobility syndrome and fibromyalgia - a painful condition which severely restricts mobility and means she has to use a wheelchair.

Before she was given Indie, her council provided Mrs Plues with home care, but only for half-hour or 45-minute visits.

Indie does chores like unloading the washing machine

The dog was provided under a new compulsory local authority scheme called Direct Payments, in which people requiring care are allowed more choice in how to spend funds allocated to their care.

An investigation by Radio 4's You and Yours programme in February found the scheme allowed the funds to be spent on assistance dogs.

Mrs Plues has found the dog has made a dramatic improvement to her quality of life.

Indie helps her with practical tasks as diverse as washing, getting ready for bed and even turning her over at night to prevent cramps.

'Wonderful'

Outside the home, he can help her collect money from a cash machine, pick up goods in shops, and pay shop cashiers.

Joel says the dog has changed his life too allowing him to concentrate on school.

"Indie means," says Mrs Plues, "that Joel can have his childhood back."

Mrs Plues says Indie has changed her life

Indie costs the council £8 a week in comparison with care costs of nearly £450 a week.

The idea has been applauded by the health minister in charge of community care, Stephen Ladyman.

"We've just issued new guidance to all councils on direct payments, and actually they're breaking the law if they don't make direct payments available," he told You and Yours.

"We intended to free people up to buy their own care, and deliver that care in whichever way suited them best, and so this is exactly the sort of scheme we wanted to see happening... It's a wonderful initiative."

To hear Wendy Plues's story in full listen to You and Yours on Thursday at 1200 BST on Radio 4.