‘Parker has just made everyone feel a little bit happier’
By Sarah Curran
WITH a year’s work under his collar at Bloomfield Primary School, every day is a fun day at the ‘pawfice’ for therapy dog Parker.
Ringing in the New Year, staff at the school will be starting January with a ‘round of a-paws’ for their dedicated four legged co-worker.
Parker, a 14 month-old labradoodle, came to work at the Bangor primary a year ago, after the school’s principal, Rebecca Bishop, was asked by charity Assistance Dogs NI, if the school would like the opportunity to foster a therapy dog.
At just ten weeks-old, Parker embarked on a 10-month intense training course along with his litter mates and educators from other schools from across Northern Ireland, in the hope of graduating as a therapy dog.
Parker begins his working day greeting children as they enter school in the morning and enters various classrooms throughout the week to offer his services, which includes snuggling up for a story with children.
His training also ensures he keeps a cheery and well-behaved temperament as children come for a hug if they are experiencing a tough day.
When Parker is not at school working, he resides with Mrs Bishop, who takes care of him in the evenings, weekends and during school holidays.
“Parker just loves people and he loves the children and he just has to say hello to everybody,” Mrs Bishop said.
“In the mornings, I go to the gates and walk from the junior playground to the senior playground and say hello to the mums and dads and children and they all flock to Parker to get their cuddles and say hello.
“The kids all love his curly hair and they love touching his curls. Parker will wait and stand there and let them cuddle him and say their hellos.”
Mrs Bishop said that some children had admitted they had come into school feeling tired or grumpy but were instantly lifted on seeing Parker at the beginning of their day.
Just like everyone in the working world, Parker requires a few breaks throughout the day and has become accustomed to having a few naps in the principal’s office and walks during the day.
The school is currently trying to raise money to build a dog run to give Parker somewhere to enjoy his downtime with the children in the future.
However, when his walking lead is changed to his working lead, Parker instantly knows it is time to switch from goofing-off to work mode.
“We have a timetable for Parker to go to classes, so one of the classroom assistants or teachers will come and get him to bring him to a class to spend half-an-hour to an hour with them,” Mrs Bishop continued.
“Sometimes it’s during reading time and he maybe lies down in front of the children while they read or pops his head on their knees and the kids stroke him while they read.”
She laughed: “We try not to have him in class if there is play going on as he is still at the stage that if he sees something like a toy, he thinks it is his.”
While Parker is flourishing in the working world after graduating from his course, Mrs Bishop noted he was still young and had more training to go.
“He is only young and going through his puberty years, so there are wee things you have to remind him of,” Mrs Bishop said, adding that Parker struggled to be on his own as he was so used to company outside school.
Looking to the future, Mrs Bishop said she hoped that eventually Parker’s base would change from her office to a room such as their Learning Support Centre.
Speaking about her fluffy co-worker, Mrs Bishop concluded: “It has definitely been a positive contribution, without a doubt, Parker has just made everyone feel a little bit happier. The staff and pupils just adore him.”
