Although the duo have only been a team for a few months, the love and understanding which flows between them is quite remarkable. But then this is no ordinary story of a little girl and her dog. Both are very special, and they need each other.

Eight-year-old Kelly was born with a rare physical disability which prevents her from walking. Loredo, who is just two, has been specially trained from puppyhood to be a constant companion and helper, and will thus improve her quality of life.

Incredibly, Loredo responds to 54 different commands -- everything from carrying Kelly's schoolbooks in his mouth to giving her a big, doggy hug. He can also open and close doors, including the refrigerator; operate light switches, and pick up and deliver things to Kelly.

So refined are the golden retriever's skills, in fact, that he leaves not a trace of saliva on anything for which he uses his mouth, including picking up a bank note off the floor.

While Kelly comes from a close and loving family which does everything from supermarket shopping to sporting activities together, her parents, Catherine and John (Jack) McKenna, felt that having a specialised dog would bring a new dimension to the independence they have always encouraged in their daughter.

"Knowing that Kelly has a good grasp of language and would be able to communicate that to the dog, we thought this would add to her quality of life,'' Mrs. McKenna explains. "Also, because a dog is an instant passport to conversation, we knew it would be a great way for Kelly to make new friends, which is important.'' When, through a friend, the family heard about the Canine Companions for Independence organisation, which has centres across the United States, they decided to pursue the idea further.

As they soon discovered, it was not just a matter of getting on a list and being matched with a dog. After Kelly was accepted as a candidate, she and her mother had to attend a two-week intensive training and bonding session in Orlando, Florida before taking custody of Loredo.

"It was like attending pre-natal classes,'' Mrs. McKenna recalls of the experience. "We had to learn everything from how to put on a leash, elicit the best response, give commands, feed and care for the dog, to discipline and behaviour. The days were long and intense -- really exhausting -- and in fact Kelly was better suited to the course than I was. She kept me focussed.'' If the first week was about commands, behaviour and understanding, the second was about Kelly working with various dogs and finally Loredo, whom the Centre decided best matched its new owner's personality and family lifestyle.

Graduation day was a huge affair, attended by approximately 1000 people and held at Sea World in Orlando.

"Kelly was valedictorian for her class and presented an award to her instructors, and she was also interviewed by an affiliate station of NBC-TV in Florida,'' Mrs. McKenna says proudly. "She was quite the star.'' Which is hardly surprising, because Kelly is truly special. Pretty, with blonde pigtails and a wonderful smile, she is also as bright as a button, self-assured, and blessed with personality plus.

Instantly likeable, it takes but moments in her company to realise that, far from seeing herself as a victim, or wallowing in self-pity, she views life as a positive experience, with adventures to enjoy and friends to make, which is impressive given that she has spent a great deal of time in hospitals undergoing multiple surgeries and other treatments.

Her outlook is due, in part, to the fact that not only her family but also her peers and the teaching staff at Warwick Academy, where she is in Primary Three, are extremely supportive and treat her exactly the same as everyone else.

"The only difference between Kelly and other children is that she uses wheels instead of legs to get around,'' they explain.

In fact, Warwick Academy's track record of happily accommodating children with various disabilities is part of what makes Kelly's schooldays so successful.

"(Primary Department head) Mrs. Jane Dyer has taken such a positive attitude that there is nothing we cannot work around,'' says Mrs. McKenna. "We owe her a lot. In fact, we are thrilled with Warwick Academy as a whole.'' At the moment, Loredo spends half at day at Kelly's side in the classroom, but soon will be with her full time. While the teachers are unfazed by the dog's presence, he is so loveable that the children's instinctive desire to cuddle and pet him has to be curbed.

"The dog is trained to respond first and foremost to Kelly, so we have to be careful that he is not distracted or confused by lots of extra attention,'' Mrs. Dyer explains.

In fact, it is a lesson the McKenna family is also having to learn.

Meanwhile, Loredo's young mistress thinks her new canine companion -- the first of his kind in Bermuda -- is pretty special.

"I love him very much, and he does a really good hug,'' she enthuses. "He is also a huge hit with other children.'' Asked what qualities she admires in her dog, Kelly says they include being a really great friend; a good runner who also loves rolling on the ground making happy noises, and carrying her books to school.

So far, there is just one problem: "He sleeps at the foot of my bed, and snores just like my grandfather!'' she reveals.

Meanwhile, his mistress is an apt and diligent student who lists art and comprehension as her favourite subjects. And no, she wouldn't think of telling her teachers: "The dog ate my homework.'' When she grows up she would "really like to be a doctor, or maybe a veterinarian or artist''.

Kelly has many "best friends'' among her classmates, and is well liked by students and teachers alike.

"She is a wonderful child,'' says Years One and Two head teacher, Mrs. Penny Sampson. "She has such a strong personality that you don't see the wheelchair. You just see this courageous little girl who gives so much. In fact, she gives us more than we give her. But then, her whole family is exceptional.'' With the unconditional acceptance and love that children show so well, Kelly's classmates automatically include her in their fun times and birthday parties, and even compete to push her chair, despite the fact that she can do it herself. It is simply their way of showing they care.

At a recent Primary Department dance, for example, Kelly and her pals devised a special way for her to enjoy the fun. A partner sat on her lap and the duo whirled around in the chair together.

"It was really, really good, and I had a great time,'' she recalls. "I did some soca and macarena and also the conga line.'' Trendy Kelly is also a pop music fan who is especially fond of Britney Spears, Christine Aguillera, Backstreet Boys, N' Sync and S Club 7. Fortunately, Loredo loves music too.

Like the rest of her family, Kelly is keen on sports. She plays her own version of tennis with her dad, and is an excellent pool swimmer. She is also a faithful, self-appointed cheerleader at all of her adored brother John's sports events and quiz events, at which the 14-year-old excels.

In fact, the siblings (who both attend Warwick Academy) are extremely close.

"My brother is very special,'' Kelly says.

"John is a wonderful, kind soul, and extremely good to her,'' their mother adds.

Constant companions While it would be very easy to spoil Kelly, the McKenna's temper their love for their "little princess'' with the parental guidelines which they hope will allow her to become a well-adjusted, capable adult. As a result, even at this tender age, Kelly accepts certain boundaries without fuss, but quite rightly denounces others.

In comparison to other countries, she is frustrated at Bermuda's lack of sensitivity and progress on accessibility for the disabled, and feels much more could and should be done.

"Some amusements I would like to visit don't have ramps, and some curbs don't have curb cuts, so I can't even visit my dad's office,'' she says. "We also need more wheelchair parking.'' Similarly, while she loves playing on the climbing frame at WindReach Farm, it saddens Kelly that she cannot do so on the one at school because it lacks the appropriate guide rails -- a problem she believes could be corrected with donated funds.

And, unlike the United States, some local restaurants will not allow special dogs like Loredo to accompany their owners.

Asked what message she has for other children with disabilities, the thoughtful youngster responds: "Being in a wheelchair doesn't mean you are different to other people. I am a very happy girl. Always appreciate the life God gave you.'' Understandably, however, when asked if she could be granted just one wish, what that would be, Kelly lowers her blue eyes and whispers: "To get out of my wheelchair and walk.'' Cuddly canine: Although they have only been together for a few months, Kelly and Loredo (above) are devoted to one another.

Warm Welcome: Kelly McKenna (above) is surrounded by her fellow students as she arrives at Warwick Academy accompanied by Loredo, who carries her books, and mother Catherine. In class (below) teacher Amanda Kirk watches as Kelly studies and Loredo patiently awaits playtime.

Golden greetings: Watched by Kelly McKenna, her golden retriever Loredo greets fellow students (from left) Nicole Hayward and Kayla Stowe at Warwick Academy.

Canine Companions at a glance Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a non-profit American oganisation whose mission is to provide trained service, hearing, facility and skilled companion assistance dogs to people with disabilities, as well as continuing support.

CCI has headquarters in Santa Rosa, California and regional centres around the US. CCI is funded by private organisations with donations from businesses, civic groups and service clubs, in addition to grants and special fund-raisers.

CCI has its own selective breeding programme, and the puppies are raised by carefully screened volunteers for 18 months before undergoing specialised training for six months at CCI regional training centres.

Applicants undergo screening to determine their suitability and needs, and once accepted, spend two weeks under intensive training during which they learn about and bond with the animal they eventually take home.

Among CCI's keenest supporters was the late Charles Schultz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip.

For more information on CCI, write to P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446, or telephone 1-800-572-2275. You can also visit their website on the internet at www.caninecompanions.org/ccifaqs.htm