INSPIRING PUP DOES IT BY THE BOOK IN WALK OF LIFE

MORE than a year after the community raised money so she could walk again, Arlo the dog is giving back.

The inspiring English staffy has regained her mobility and is helping children to get back on their feet, too.

For the past four months, Arlo has sat patiently while students at Southport State High School read to her through the Share Reading Dogs program, run by the Animal Welfare League Queensland.

Foster carer turned owner Megan Payette said the 18month-old’s presence helped increase children’s confidence to read aloud in front of small groups.

Ms Payette said Arlo became a qualified therapy dog after taking a five-day intensive course last year with Therapy Dogs Australia.

Ms Payette said she wanted to give something back to the community after residents rallied to save Arlo early last year following her arrival at the AWLQ with a parasitic condition, neosporosis.

AWLQ staff started “Operation Get Arlo Walking”. It included treatments such as hydrotherapy, courses of antibiotics and a spinal tap.

More than 100 people donated $3000 in less a day to help her walk again because her back legs had given out.

“We did a whole year of physio and hydrotherapy once a week and home exercises,” she said.

“She doesn’t feel any pain, she still has a funny walk and will never be perfect, but she (waddles).”

Arlo now listens to children of two classes each week, but Ms Payette has even bigger plans.

She said they would eventually like to go to aged-care homes or work with veterans and those suffering PTSD.

Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS Southport State High School students Zakeira Chatfielz and Zane Giles, both 13, read to English staffy Arlo. The community raised money last year so the dog could walk again after she was diagnosed with neosporosis at 12 weeks of age (inset).