A DISABLED York man said a helper dog has brought joy back to his life.

Mike Hardy, from Wigginton, was working as an engineer in Zambia in his early twenties when he began to suffer severe pains in his leg and back, which was later revealed to be a tumour the size of a tennis ball.

Now 66, Mike said: "I was given two choices - go to Johannesburg or the UK for surgery. I had a week to pack up, get all the medical discharge paperwork in order to leave the country. I was scared.

"Luckily, it turned out to be non-malignant. I had a month of hell in the hospital, as nothing from the waist down functioned. I worked like a man possessed to get vertical and on two walking sticks."

Mike later developed Ankylosing Spondylitis - a painful and progressive type of arthritis where some joints and bones of the spine fuse together and cannot be cured, and now uses a wheelchair.

A social worker suggested a dog could help Mike, ensuring he got out of the house and could help ease his depression - and he was put in touch with Canine Partners.

He visited the Sussex-based charity for an assessment and in 2012 he was introduced to Chipper.

Mike said: "It was a bit like meeting a partner who you instinctively knew you are made for each other. I remembered that feeling from when I met my wife Maggie. It was love at first sight and I was in no doubt that we were made for each other."

Chipper, like all dogs from the charity, is trained to help take off Mike's shoes and socks, and take money and the card from cash points, and other everyday tasks which many take for granted.

Mike said: "Chipper has changed my life for the better. I can honestly say that by having Chipper has made my life worth living and gets me out of bed.

"Since I have had Chipper, I have met more people and had good chats to them about him. Chipper is so obedient, alert and loving. In fact, even after 18 months living with him at home, words fail me to describe what a good lad he is. People ask me what he does for me - I normally reply 'brings joy to my life'."

For more information on Canine Helpers go to caninepartners.org.uk