Top marks for new ‘student’
Ararat College newcomer ‘Winston’ is settling in well, making plenty of friends and showing his value as a key contributor.
But instead of being a new student or a teacher, he is a genial black standard poodle with qualifications as a therapy dog.
Twenty-month-old Winston has quickly become an integral part of the college and has been a welcome addition to the school environment. Tricia Ruthven, who owns Winston, said the pooch had undergone therapy training after being introduced as a puppy to students at the school.
“I love dogs and the kids love him too,” she said.
“We were really fortunate. When we collected him from the breeder, college principal Ellie Mcdougall said to bring him to school for a visit as an eight-week-old puppy. And now he is an amazing therapy dog. The college is his favourite place in the world. He loves the kids. He helps some kids who are having a sad day to feel a bit better and teachers can use him as a student reward or to bring happiness to the classroom.
“He was so happy jumping out of the car when school returned after holidays.”