Dogs trained to assist disabled

The dogs also provide companionship, unconditional love and affection

A charity who trains puppies to assist the disabled with household tasks has homed its first dog.

The dogs are taught how to assist their owners with jobs like opening doors and removing washing from the machine.

Canine Partners' Essex satellite at Writtle College opened in 2008 and is run by dog trainer Emily Lawrence.

"Whilst helping a 13-year-old profoundly deaf girl to train her dog, I really came to understand the support that having a dog gave her," said Emily

Eight puppies have been through the programme since it started in Essex, with the first dog, Jet, being successfully placed with a disabled partner.

The dogs are trained to assist their partners with everyday tasks

The charity takes the puppies from eight-weeks-old and places them with 'puppy parents' who socialise the animals and take them to weekly training classes at the Essex satellite.

Basic obedience

To help a disabled person cope, the dogs are taught basic obedience like walking on a lead.

They are also taught to pull 'tug' toys which will later be used to teach them to open doors.

It takes 14 months to train each canine at a cost of £10,000.