IT’S not uncommon for the Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn to hear the words: “Hello gorgeous”.

And while it’s great for her self-esteem, Stephne knows the words are intended for her trusted retriever/labrador cross, Coco.

The duo have been side by side for the past three years after Stephne’s eyesight deteriorated to an extent where she needs a guide dog.

She now has just 10 per cent of her vision left, due to the progressive condition, glaucoma.

But Stephne, 65, is accepting of it and has ensured Coco has become a firm part of proceedings at Mary’s Church in East Bergholt and St Michael’s in Brantham.

And that even includes special events like weddings.

“She is always with me whatever I am doing,” she said.

“She comes on visits to families if I am preparing for a baptism or funeral.

“When I am conducting services she is always there.

“In church she has a mat and I make sure it is next to my stall or up at the high altar and she knows that’s where she stays until the end of the service.

“When I say the final Amen she gets up, shakes her ears and returns for duty yet she doesn’t do that at any point in the service.”

For weddings, the best man and groomsmen are instructed to tell Stephne should Coco wander from her mat - but her owner insists she is “impeccably behaved”.

Coco will be present at all Christmas services and accompanies Stephne on weekly visits to East Bergholt Primary School where she is always a hit with the children.

Coco was just the right candidate for Stephne when she met her.

Stephne said: “She has a calming influence because she is a very calm dog.

“She is a very hospitable dog and people find it helpful to stroke her ears while talking to me.”

“She is very good for self-esteem because people keep coming up to me and say ‘Hello gorgeous’ - and I always know they are speaking to me,” jokes Stephne, who is married to Joop.

“She has helped me in being more confident.

“Being blind is frightening because every step is an adventure because you can’t see and you don’t know who you are talking to.

“I have complete confidence in her.”

Coco was matched with Stephne by the Guide Dogs charity.

Stephne tried two other guide dogs briefly first.

Before getting a guide dog, Stephne had been using a cane with a ball on the end to help her navigate her way.

She was on a waiting list for four years before a trusted companion was available.

And having a “living being” at the end of a harness has changed Stephne’s life.

Coco sits down when there is potential danger such as traffic and helps Stephne avoid clashes with cars parked on pavements, for example.

Stephne realised just how intelligent - and vital - Coco was after just a week into their relationship.

Coco sat down at a kerb and refused to budge even though Stephne was sure there was no traffic coming.

“A car then came screaming around the corner, she obviously heard it, she just knew.

“You have to learn to trust the dog,” said Stephne.

Stephne, who lives at Brantham rectory, praised the charity which made sure she had the right dog.

“With the work I do I meet people all the time and needed a dog who was comfortable with lots of people.

“My dog needs to be okay with people who are quite upset such as at funerals.

“And to not chase cats. Many of my congregation have cats and it is fairly bad PR if your dog chases cats.

“She also needed to be comfortable with singing and must not be tempted to join in.

“All those things she passed with flying colours.”

South African born Stephne was ordained in 1995 and came the England in 2001.

She has been registered blind for ten years but only realised there was a problem with her sight when she went with one of her four daughters went for an eye test.

Stephne was told she was going blind due to glaucoma, which is where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged.

Glaucoma can lead to loss of vision if it is not diagnosed and treated early.

Stephe’s liturgy is blown up to a larger font but most of Stephne’s services are prepared in her head.

She admitted losing so much of her sight had been a “bereavement”.

“It has been a long goodbye for me,” she said.

“When I came to England I was still driving but within six months I had deteriorated so couldn’t.

“I have been immensely grateful I have been able to see as much as I can for as long as this.

“Who knows how long before I can’t see anything.”

But through it all, she will have Coco at her side, calmly, gently guiding her way and attracting all manner of compliments.