[The Missionary] The church of St Francis, Fair Oaks, in Northern California has seen its congregation increased by a number of canine members. Very appropriate for a church dedicated to the patron saint of animals! However, these are no ordinary dogs, but Golden Labradors who are being trained for special jobs as guide and helper dogs for people with disabilities.

Basia is six months old and being trained as a Service Dog - her trainer is 15 year old Courtney Quigg. For the next 10 months Basia will live with the Quiggs, completing her basic training and learning socialising skills. She will then return to the Canine Companions for Independence School in Santa Rosa, where six months of intensive training will equip her to be a Service Dog for a someone who is wheelchair bound, deaf, autistic or has some other disability.

Service Dogs can perform a wide range of tasks, including fetching and carrying, opening doors, alerting their owners to sounds such as door bells or a ringing phone, and warning of potential hazards.

Bobbie is another regular at St Francis - training to be a Seeing Eye Dog. She is looked after by Wayne and Estelle Parker, and accompanies them down the aisle to the communion rail. She waits obediently for her blessing from Fr William Sassman, before returning to her seat.

Bobby will soon the be returned to the San Rafael School for the Blind for the next stage of her training. She will have to handle stairs, traffic and many other skills before she can be given to a blind person.

Both dogs have become familiar and welcome sights at St Francis, and although they will be moving on to become essential helpers for their new owners, it won't be long until another puppy joins the congregation to begin its training!