Walking the dog takes on a whole new meaning for Steve Anderson of Masterton.
Mr Anderson, 58, has multiple sclerosis and is a volunteer dog walker at the SPCA, turning out every fine morning to exercise the dogs held in the dog compound until they find new homes.
The former Auckland taxi driver has been unable to work since his diagnosis in 1995, but is not content to just sit back and do nothing with his life.
Along with wife Kay, he volunteered as a dog walker for the SPCA when the call went out for help and Steve said it is not only the dogs that benefit.
"It exercises the dogs, it allows them to become familiar with people in wheelchairs, it gets me up in the morning and it allows me to have the companionship of a dog because I am not able to have one at home due to my rental tenancy agreement."