A YORK woman with multiple sclerosis has praised her specially-trained dog for giving her back her life - while helping the charity that brought them together.

Dog lover Dorothy Scott, 55, of Badger Hill, York, uses a wheelchair to get around and has difficulty performing some day-to-day tasks.

But since she was given her trained assistance dog, Swift, a two-and-a-half-year-old black Labrador, by the Dogs for the Disabled charity she said he has brought, nothing but joy to her life.

Now Dorothy is promoting the charity, which is set to benefit from a competition currently running at Pets At Home in Clifton Moor.

The national competition involves designing a celebrity dog hut, and television presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen was one of the first to put his artistic skills to use.

Dorothy said: "Apart from being a wonderful companion, Swift does all sorts of things such as bringing me my post in the morning, bringing me my copy of the Evening Press in the afternoon. He helps me take my socks and shoes off, picks things up for me when I drop them as well as opening and closing the door for me. He also helps take the washing out of the machine."

Dorothy said Swift was also trained not to run close to her when she stands up or dart in front of the wheelchair.

The kennel, designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and unveiled at Crufts last month, was in the Pets At Home store this week to give shoppers some ideas for their designs.

People across the UK are being asked to use their imagination to come up with a fantasy kennel design for their favourite celebrity.

Laurence will judge the competition before creating the winning design, which will be presented to the winner together with £250 in Pets At Home vouchers.

Phone Pets At Home on 01904 690084 or pop into the store for more details.

Updated: 09:03 Friday, June 20, 2003