Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Henry helps kids to stay pawsitive
IT’S been a challenging year for young people in Northern Ireland with school closures and lockdown taking over.
And at a primary school in North Belfast, a new therapy – which comes in the form of four legs and two wheels – is helping children cope with all the emotions.
Henry Wee Wheels joined Sacred Heart Boys Primary School before Easter and now visits the pupils every Thursday.
Having gone through major surgeries and challenging periods in his life, it’s hoped the brave dog’s story will help oung people see that despite challenges, anything is possible.
Speaking to the Mirror, Sacred Heart Boys’ Principal Joanne Smyth said she is delighted to have welcomed all the children back again.
She added: “We have a lot of strategies and activities for the children throughout the year, prior to Covid, but our recent introduction is Henry – our therapy dog.
“He will be here every week and will be in various classes working around different themes.
“There are some children who need a bit of extra support and that can range from underlying issues that maybe we cannot bring to the surface – whether it’s bereavement, anxiety or anger.
“Some children aren’t natural talkers and we are trying to increase their self-esteem and their confidence.
“In addition to that, Henry is a dog that has disabilities. He has had his own hardship in life and there are certain things he may not be able to do.
“For example, in the school there are stairs and when he gets to the bottom he looks for support.
“Whether it’s the children or us, we will support him by either carrying him or just giving him a help up.
“We want the children to use that, and instead of saying, ‘I can’t’ they can then say, ‘I can, I will try and I believe in myself’.
“It’s another coping strategy and support ladder for our children to use.
“The children were so excited. It would do your heart good.
“The atmosphere in the whole school is amazing.
“Every member of staff was delighted and there was a feel-good factor all day.
“We can’t wait until next Thursday now, when Henry comes back again.
“Everybody needs a bit of feel-good and everybody in their life needs some help at some stage.
“We all have our ups and downs and Henry is here to help during those downs.”
Henry’s owner, Sharon Warnock told the Mirror she adopted him three years ago from China.
She said: “Henry has experienced loss, bereavement, hospitalisation and other issues. Whatever issue the child has, Henry had probably gone through similar.
“When he comes into the class, their faces light up.
“Then when you dig a bit deeper you can see them thinking, anything is actually possible.”