A MOTHER whose seven-year-old daughter suffered from a debilitating fear of dogs says her life has been changed after help from a complete stranger.

Harmony James was petrified of dogs after one tried to bite her when she was four. Her terror was so acute that she would turn around and walk away if she encountered a dog in the street or even jump into the road.

The unusual behaviour was picked by the animal-loving Karen Hobson, owner of Ulti-Mutt Dog Grooming in Calne, during a walk with her two dogs Roisin and Bree.

She said: “I was just going into my house with my two Irish terriers and Harmony thought she going to have to pass us. She saw the dog and automatically fear took over and she jumped out into the road. It was quite alarming; she almost got hit by a car."

But rather than ignore the incident, Mrs Hobson stopped to help calm Harmony down and, with the young girl and her mother Kiana, of Quemerford, Calne, passing her house regularly, began to build a trusting relationship.

Mrs Hobson, of London Road, added: “Slowly but surely they kept seeing us out walking and it got to the point where Harmony got to cuddle Roisin and she’s been in the house and garden playing with her. She had to trust me and to know I would not let her get hurt.

“I didn’t like to think that there was a little girl passing my door feeling scared but she’s a sweet little thing and she loves the dogs now.

“It has made a difference to her life, she’s a more confident little girl now and my dogs love the attention its good for them to have a younger person around.”

It took between 12 and 18 months for Harmony to get over her fear to the point where she would play with both Irish Terriers in Mrs Hobson’s garden.

Harmony’s mother Kiana said: “Karen has changed my life, it was just so stressful. Harmony was that scared she forgot the dangers of the road; she wanted to get away from the animals that much.

“She’s so passionate about animals, is so calming and has a lovely relationship with Harmony. I don’t know how I would have got Harmony through if it was not for Karen, it was unbelievable.

“It has changed Harmony’s life too, she used to have to change direction, she was not just scared she was petrified."