CAESAR, an assistance dog from Poole, has taken centre stage at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The nine-year-old Golden Retriever, accompanying disabled Broadstone resident Wendy Morrell, was one of just three assistance dogs welcomed as part of the 2009 European Pet Night.

Wendy, who shot to fame locally after wielding the Olympic Torch through one of its troubled London legs last summer, was representing the British association of Dogs for the Disabled.

She said: “Caesar’s effect on my life has been enormous. He is priceless because of what he does and the independence he gives me has improved my self-esteem. He’s my hero.”

Wendy, a former maths teacher and potential Olympic archer, suffered a devastating brain injury when she was struck by a stray discus as she battled for a place in the British Olympic archery squad at an athletic meet 19 years ago.