Bubbly Charlie changes career

The student services department at Bunbury Senior High School has welcomed a new member of the team.

The school has become home to the State’s first school-based therapy dog.

Although trained as a guide dog, three-year-old labrador Charlie did not make the cut because of his exuberant nature. But it was his bubbly personality that made him an ideal recruit for the school.

Although he showed his trademark exuberance at his first appearance at a school assembly last Tuesday, Guide Dogs WA senior guide dog instructor Phil Stanley said Charlie had a real understanding of human emotion.

“He’s what we call a career change dog, ” he said.

“He went through the guide dog training program, and now he is the first companion and therapy dog in a WA school. It’s a learning curve for all of us.”

Principal Craige Pettit said having Charlie on staff was a great experiment.

“There’s evidence that the dogs are great companions for people, ” he said.

Part of the challenge in getting Charlie on staff was finding a home for him.

Senior school manager Gary Walker put up his hand for the job and is now Charlie’s “carer”.

He said having a working dog was different to having a pet dog.

“He’s very smart, ” Mr Walker said.

“He’ll mainly work with kids who need emotional support.”

Students will be able to spend time with Charlie on-on-one, grooming and caring for him, and will also be able to walk him in the company of staff members.

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