Blind Muslim student hires 'Guide Horse' because dogs are declared unclean in Islam

Cali helps his proud mistress cross the road. Miss Ramouni spent three years saving to buy the 2ft 6in tall horse

Mona Ramouni, a blind psychology student, has had to make do without a guide dog her whole life. The 28-year-old's strictly religious parents would not allow a dog in the house, because dog is declared unclean in Islam. But Mona found another alternative at a website article about miniature guide horses in April 2008.

She used 3 years of savings from her job at a Braille proofreading company to pay for a horse to be trained to act as her guide.

Cali (the horse) measures about 2ft and 6 inch tall and has been taught to stand still indoors. She also helps Miss Ramouni get out of vehicles and move through crowds.

Mona Ramouni is very proud of her and said:

'She is an awesome little horse. What I really want is to be able to take her places neither of us would have been able to go without each other. 'Before Cali, I had given up. I got to the point where I thought, 'I'm going to get nothing out of my life'. Cali has given me the confidence back I used to have as a kid.'

Horses for courses: Miss Ramouni and Cali attend a seminar at Michigan State University

Leading the blind: Mona Ramouni has bought and trained a miniature horse, Cali, to be her guide