A nurse who uses a wheelchair is the first in the UK to have an assistance dog - at work.

Chloe Hammond, 32, was diagnosed with a number of conditions aged 15.

She has used a wheelchair since 2018 and has been training service dog Ocho for two years to help her at home - and and while on shift.

He passed a series independent tests - certifying him to remain with her at work.

At home he helps with tasks like unloading the washing machine, getting the post, undressing, and picking things up off the floor.

While working, he helps out bringing Chloe her bag, getting her phone, passing things to colleagues and helping her remove her fleece if she gets too hot.

When Chloe, a community care worker, from Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, is visiting patients who don’t want Ocho in their house, he stays with a dog sitter or goes to doggy day-care.

If needed Chloe's colleagues are covered by work insurance to look after Ocho too.

Chloe is currently thought to be the only nurse in the country to use an assistance dog and wheelchair.

She wants to inspire others to pursue their dreams and consider jobs in the NHS.

She said: "Nursing with a disability is hard - but an assistance animal brings a different angle.

"I think he's the most handsome dog in the whole world - patients tell me all the time. Everybody loves him!

"Even my boss loves him - he brings a different, calm energy.

"Being around unwell people all the time means he's learned to control the excited puppy in him.

''I took a couple of years out of work when I was quite unwell - since getting Ocho I've had multiple promotions, I'm enjoying being a nurse again.''

Chloe has had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, Behçet's disease and Raynaud's syndrome since she was 15.

She was also diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) in 2018.

These conditions cause symptoms like chronic migraines, poor circulation and joint dislocation - and in 2016, she started using crutches to get around.

But in 2018, a sudden headache left Chloe bedbound, and she was unable to move for 18 months.

The time she spent in bed caused her to lose tone in her leg muscles - which meant they’d dislocate much more frequently.

Once the migraine cleared, she could no longer walk using crutches - and a wheelchair was crucial to her quality of life.

She stepped down from her job in paediatrics - on the intensive care ward in Bristol Children’s Hospital - to take up a job in the community.

She says her Labrador Ocho - eighth in his pack - is her lifeline.

He came from charity Dog Aid two years ago.

Chloe has been nominated for the Nursing Times' Nurse of the Year Award.