From The Guardian
Carole Sharpe lost her sight at the age of 58. But with the help of her dog, she’s been able to carry on doing the things she loves.
As the priest began the ceremony of admittance, two candidates stepped forward, their footsteps echoing off the cold stone-walls of the church of St Bartholomew the Great. Both Mike Tiley and Carole Sharpe wore the verger’s ornate ceremonial robes, as did, I noticed, Carole’s guide-dog Fran, though hers was more of a cape. She looked like a canine super-hero.The priest prayed for Michael first. Then Fran. Fran? I was mortified, certain that he had just confused the dog with her owner. But there was no mistake. He gave Fran a warm pat on the head saying, “Believe it or not.”
I had just witnessed the first dog being admitted to the Church of England Guild of Vergers. This was history in the making.