Specially-trained dogs can now help out their disabled owners with the laundry
TOP dog Duffy has learned a new trick or two… thanks to a revolutionary washing machine.
A trained pooch presses the paw-designed button to start the washing machine [ROSS PARRY]
He’s one of a breed of specially-trained dogs who can strip beds, fill laundry baskets as well as load and empty washing machines.
Now they are being taught to do all the laundry for their disabled owners with the new Woof to Wash machine.
They unlock it with the push of a paw on a bespoke pad, yank on a rope to open the door, load, close with their nose, then start the cycle simply by barking.
Then I saw a video from the charity Support Dogs, where a dog strips a bed and loads the washing machine. I was blown away and thought I could invent a machine where the dog does everything
Inventor John Middleton
Inventor John Middleton said: “I had been working on a single programme washing machine to make things easier and there was a lot of demand for it.
“Then I saw a video from the charity Support Dogs, where a dog strips a bed and loads the washing machine. I was blown away and thought I could invent a machine where the dog does everything.
“So I got in touch with Support Dogs and they loved the idea. They said it would be a huge help to their severely disabled users.”
John, managing director of laundry specialist JTM, set to work with a team of engineers and finished the project with the help of manufacturer Miele Professional in a fortnight.
The result was unveiled at the charity’s headquarters in Sheffield with two-year-old golden labrador Duffy deftly putting it through its paces – without getting his tail in a complete spin.
Charity director of operations Rita Howson said: “A normal washing machine can be very challenging. What John has brilliantly come up with here is to tailor make these machines to individual needs.”
If you want to know more about the charity that trains dogs to do a range of chores for disabled owners, you can call 0114 261 7800 or go to supportdogs.org.uk.
