Velvet is all the fashion in Castletown

A NEW therapy dog is boosting morale among students and staff at St Patrick’s NS, Castletown according to principal, Brien Kearns.

Velvet the Shepadoodle arrived at the school at eight weeks old from the charity 'My Canine Companion’ and has captured the hearts of the school community where she plays a vital role.

Velvet’s arrival to the school coincided with the addition of two ASD classes introduced to the school in September as Castletown NS principal explains:

"We got her just before Christmas through the charity 'My Canine Companion’. It came about because we opened to two Autism classes in the school and we had seen the benefit of therapy dogs in other schools so we applied and our application was successful and then Velvet came on board as a staff member is December!

"It is amazing to see the benefits she brings,” he added.

"Velvet even attends 'puppy school' each week as part of her training!"

The German Shepherd/Poodle cross has been "a huge addition" to the school according to Brien who said:

"She greets the kids in the morning, she goes around the classes, she is a really calming influence around the school. If a child falls in the yard she is there to make them feel better. Overall she has boosted morale and the kids are fighting over who can walk her around the yard at break time.”

There has been an accidental benefit to the arrival of the pup as Brien explains:

"Our classes are tidier because there can’t be pencils or crayons or rubbers on the ground, lunch boxes have to be tidied away because she is not allowed to eat from lunch boxes so the classes are tidier. There is a general good feel factor around the place because of her."

"Her mam was a therapy dog as well in schools so it is kind of in her breeding already, she naturally has that calming influence and demeanour.”

As well as having an adorable dog for company the children are also learning how to care for a pet.

"There are loads of rules that the kids have to abide by,” said the school head. "They are not allowed pet her when she is sitting down and If she jumps up on a desk, they have to say the word ‘off’. If she barks, they have to say ‘quiet’. If they are bringing her to go to the toilet they have to say ‘busy’, that’s her trigger word.

"They have really bought into the rules and are really sticking to them which is great.”

After her working day is done, Velvet goes to her new home with school principal Brien who she lives with part time!

"There are two handlers, myself and an SNA Tara Duffy, we say we have joint custody of her, she goes between the two of us,” he said.

"It’s amazing, she has to wear her little vest when she is in school and when she gets home, she knows straight away she’s not working anymore and she’s off duty and just becomes a regular Joe Soap dog and just wants to lie around in front of the fire and be fed and petted and chill out.”