A POODLE who helps comfort a youngster during oainful hospital treatment has been named dog of the year in a competition.

Katie, a three-year-old poodle, from Thornaby, was yesterday crowned the Pets as Therapy top dog.

She was nominated by Sally Doree, for her work with her eight-year-old daughter Emma, who suffers from a rare form of arthritis.

Just before her fourth birthday, Emma was diagnosed with the illness. She spends a lot of time travelling to and from The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Mrs Doree, from Ingleby Barwick said: "Due to Emma's illness we spend a lot of time at hospital, where Emma has to have a lot of injections.

"She has a phobia about needles and used to get herself really distressed and upset, with each session lasting up to three-quarters of an hour.

"Katie has made a tremendous difference and injections are now over in a matter of seconds, which means it is a lot less stressful for Emma."

To distract Emma from the needle, she strokes and cuddles Katie.

Mrs Doree said: "Katie has been a godsend. The whole family used to get worked up before hospital visits knowing Emma was going to be distressed, but we now know it will be easier."

Katie's owner, Beryl Jordan said: "Katie loves going to the hospital. She is like a little teddy bear and all the youngsters love her.

"She seems to know when she is going. Once I say hospital to her she is at the door waiting, and if we travel there on the bus she knows which stop to get off at.

"She also seems to like all the attention she gets from everyone. I am really very proud of her."