A SPRINGER Spaniel who saved her owner from choking is now helping her live life to the full.

Rachel Hayes of Drefach Felindre got a sweet lodged in her throat last year and Mollypops helped remove it by jumping on her back.

Rachel, aged 42, said: “She’s my hero. She saved my life and I can’t thank her enough. I felt I was going to choke to death.”

A year later seven year-old Mollypops is still very much Rachel’s hero and has become her medically registered support dog.

Rachel, who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, is now able to leave the house with Mollypops by her side.

“She travels on the bus with me and is able to come into some shops in Newcastle Emlyn,” said Rachel.

“People in town love her, they think she’s cute.”

Rachel said she has gone through some difficult times in her life, but Mollypops has always been a constant figure and her rock.

“First and foremost she's my pet,” she said “but she has stepped up her role to support me. She is my best friend I am so lucky to have her.”

Rachel added: “Having Mollypops by my side brings my stress levels down and looking into her eyes I can see how much she loves me.”

As well as helping Rachel deal with her anxiety, Mollypops also alerts her to the phone ringing by standing up and looking at the phone.

Rachel is now keen to raise the profile of support dogs, which are not widely recognised in the UK.

“Any animal can provide support,” she said, “I would like to see more support dogs. You just need to register them with a medical professional.”

Mollypops also showed her caring side in 2011 when she was able to provide comfort to Rachel’s mother, former lollipop lady Margaret Hayes, who lost her battle to cancer.

“She is a very special girl,” added Rachel.