Retired Bedford teacher has teamed up with her dog to help children to read

Carolyn Coster said seven year old Duke is a natural with the children

A retired teacher who lost her hands and feet after Covid led to sepsis is taking her dog into schools to help children with their reading.

Carolyn Coster, from Bedford, has had her pet dog assessed by the charity Pets As Therapy, to visit schools.

She said Duke, seven, never started out as a support dog but has taken to it naturally.

The next step is to let him go into hospitals to help others on the wards "that looked after me", she said.

Mrs Coster was put into a medically induced coma for a month and nearly died twice after catching the virus in March 2020.

She was treated at Bedford Hospital and wants to return there, with Duke.

Carolyn said it is "just lovely" going into schools with Duke

"I'm hoping to go back into critical care, with him, and to go up to the ward where I had my amputations," she said.

"Hopefully he can not only help other patents, but maybe some of them will be encouraged by seeing me and maybe if they're losing a leg they might realise life doesn't have to end there."

She said she has adapted to her new life as an amputee and loves riding a bike and a horse.

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"I'm doing so many exciting things, I'm just having a great time."

Carolyn said she always looks for the positives in life and was awarded an MBE in June for services in education and for her charity work

Margaret Newnham, the head teacher of Meppershall Academy, said it has been amazing having Mrs Coster and Duke in the school and would have them in every day if she could.

"Lots of children struggle with reading.

"It's very difficult for them to read in front of people but for some reason when they read to the dog all that stress is taken away from them and it really support them with their learning."

Carolyn loves meeting lots of new people as she goes on trips with Duke