With his four paws and a constantly wagging tail, the newest staff member to join Cape Recife High School is a black Labrador retriever who has crept into everyone’s hearts, drawing attention whenever he walks the hallways.
At just 17 weeks old, Orson has been “employed” as the school’s therapy dog, a project that started in 2017.
Pupils and teachers alike stop to pat, cuddle or just wave at the friendly pup at the slightest glimpse of him.
Occupational therapist Elisabeth Barry, who is Orson’s primary caregiver as he lives with her, said having a therapy dog had always been a dream for her.
“With some careful planning and research this project became a reality in early August and Betty Howard, who owns Tapeotom Nature’s Way, sponsored Orson to the school.
“At this stage Orson’s role is to cater to the emotional needs of the children, but as he grows older we hope to have him interact a lot more with the kids in swimming activities and helping the disabled children with throwing a ball or reading even,” she said.
The benefits, as indicated to the staff before Orson was introduced to the school, come from the support to pupils with social and emotional learning needs.
The children also learn empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills, gain confidence and learn better self-expression.
Therapy dogs are trained to react and respond to people and their environment under the guidance and direction of their owner.
Barry said since Orson’s arrival, and despite his having only been at the school for a short while, the pupils’ attitude towards learning and school attendance had improved.
“In the short time that he has been with us he has become a familiar sight to the children, who have grown to love him and always tremendously enjoy playing with him.
“He is currently still training as he is still very young but as he grows he will interact more with the pupils as needed.
“Sometimes a furry ‘co-therapist’ is all it takes to push through a difficulty, gain deeper insight, facilitate healing or learning or to teach an invaluable lesson.”
Principal Jacques Hugo said the discussion around including a therapy dog had been ongoing but after witnessing first-hand the benefits of these dogs, he realised how many children could benefit.
“Just walking down the passage, you see the change in atmosphere and some of the kids even start paying attention in class when he is around.
“Orson, or as I call him ‘Chommie’, is definitely a favourite among the kids and staff – and our cheapest staff member by far.
“Technically he is going to be a working dog eventually and part of it is that he will be contributing to the therapy in the school because some of the kids are a bit reticent, but with him around they would participate more,” Hugo said.
Spoilt for choice, Orson knows exactly where to go to get his treats from the staff.
Hugo keeps a few biltong pieces in his trouser pocket and Orson gets excited when hearing the word “biltong”.
He also enjoys cuddles from the office administrators. “He is very gentle and calm. “He has got used to the environment and the wheelchairs so he doesn’t just run the kids over as puppies often tend to do,” Barry said.
“With the research we have done, it shows that the children will be willing to try things more because the dog is not as judgmental and he will basically become a motivator for them to try new things.”