A TEENAGER’S efforts to train her puppy while she was having treatment for cancer has paid off.

Lauren Ashby got through intense periods of chemotherapy by focusing on training her pet cockapoo – and now Percy the dog has earned a place at Crufts dog show.

Lauren was only 13 when she became unwell three years ago.

The 16-year-old from Horsham was suffering from night sweats, extreme fatigue, a persistent cough and itchy skin. She also lost weight and developed lumps on her neck.

Lauren did not know it, but she had all the symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma.

After she was diagnosed with the rare cancer, Lauren began six months of chemotherapy and had a stem cell transplant in June 2018, followed by radiotherapy.

Lauren was studying for her GCSEs at the time, but she also threw herself into training Percy.

She said: “All through my treatment I tried to focus on things we could do together.

“Even when my blood counts were low, I kept active and that kept my muscle strength up. Walking and training him definitely helped me through.”

Her mother Dominique said she is “full of pride” for Lauren. She said: “Her sheer determination to try to get through her treatment with positivity has been incredible and having Percy has been a massive part of all that, giving her companionship, fun and a focus throughout.

“Lauren’s dream is to make it on to the winner’s podium. It’s all about the fun of it for Percy and he thrives on all the attention.”

Although Lauren no longer has active cancer, the treatment has weakened the left side of her heart and she receives regular cardiac care at St Thomas Hospital in London.

The teenager will be taking Percy to Crufts next month and the pair are taking part in the Walk All Over Cancer campaign by Cancer Research UK to raise money by walking 10,000 steps every day in March.

Lynn Daly from Cancer Research UK South East said: “We hope people will be inspired to follow in Lauren and Percy’s footsteps.

“Not only will taking on the challenge raise money, but it has health benefits too. Moderate exercise can build stamina, burn calories and keep a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer.”

To sign up for Walk All Over Cancer, visit cruk.org/walkallover.