VETS are ensuring a practice a school’s VIP – Very Important Puppy – remains in tip-top health.
Willows Veterinary Centre in Shirley is providing veterinary support for Daisy, the official school dog at nearby Hollywood Primary School.
The Labradoodle/Miniature Poodle cross joined the school as an eight-week-old puppy as part of a scheme run by charity Dogs Helping Kids (DHK) to help teach pupils how to treat dogs, to encourage them to come to school, improve their confidence and self-esteem and to learn about the veterinary care of dogs.
Daisy, who is the responsibility of deputy head Cathy Parkes, goes into the school with her most days and, as she is so young, spends most of her time in Cathy’s office, where the children come to visit her. As she grows older she will play an increasingly greater part in school life.
Before formally joining the school roll, Daisy went for a free check-up at Willows and will return later in the autumn for booster vaccinations and flea and worming treatments.
Willows primary care vet Amy Knapman said: “As well as supporting Daisy with veterinary care, we will also be supporting the school with its educational programme. We’ll also be returning to the school to help educate the children about pet care.”
Dogs Helping Kids works in all types of schools and colleges across the country. Its aim is to educate, help and support children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities by training dogs to work in the school, college and library environment as both educational and therapeutic aids.
