Teen back on her feet thanks to her pawsome physio

Evie has been helped by four-legged friend Poppy after suffering a serious infection

A teenager who came close to death has learnt to walk again with the help of a four-legged friend.

Evie, 13, spent 100 days in hospital in Cambridge after she suffered a serious infection.

Significant muscle weakening after two months of heavy sedation left the youngster from Harlow, Essex, unable to walk.

But she is back on her feet thanks to a pioneering paediatric physiotherapy project at the hospital - involving a dog.

The Pets at Therapy (PAT) project, involving nine-year-old Labradoodle Poppy, started as a three-month pilot in the summer and was made permanent.

Working with the PAT dogs motivated patients to stretch themselves further during their physiotherapy, the hospital said.

Nine-year-old Labradoodle Poppy helps patients as part of the Pets at Therapy (PAT) project

Evie's mum Sara said her daughter could not have recovered so successfully without "Poppy power".

"It was because Poppy was there that Evie first stood with her at the parallel bars," she said.

"Eventually she found the courage to hold Poppy's lead and walk along. It was an amazing moment for everyone."

The teenager, who had a respiratory complaint, needed to be heavily sedated in order to recover after being rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital in July.

After an eight-week battle to save her, critical care clinicians were able to bring Evie around and start the long process of getting her back to full health.

She became one of the first patients to benefit from the PAT project, helped by paediatric physiotherapist Jonny Littlewood, his team and volunteer Lisa Smart.

'Grateful'

Evie is now at home and will walk to the dinner table on Christmas Day with the aid of her walking sticks.

"At one stage she was on the maximum oxygen. They were at the end of everything they could do," said her mother.

"However, eventually Evie pulled it back and we could not be more proud of what she has achieved – or grateful to those who have helped. That includes Poppy."