He’s smart, athletic, kind and thoughtful but the newest member of staff at Northern Southland College sleeps in class a lot more than your average employee!

Meet Doug, a labrador retriever who is a permanent fixture at the College and now has a uniform and an official job title - Northern Southland College Support Dog.

Year 10 students enjoying time with Doug (Front L-R) Jack Walling, Tyrone Trent, Bennedict Cavinta (Back L-R) Claire Salviejo, Duncan Durling, Tori Pont, Jade Gullick, Danzic Pennicott. Photo: Jeanna Rodgers

Janelle Eason, Deputy Principal at Northern Southland College and Doug’s owner, thought it would be a great idea to bring him along to College to be a support dog.

“Doug was getting a bit lonely at home, and I used to bring him along at weekends and after school hours just to hang out” Eason said.

“He seemed to be quite happy here and, knowing what a chilled out dog he is, we thought we’d give him a trial with students around”.

Over the trial period, Doug was only in for a few hours at a time and would visit classes on his lead so the school community could see how he would fit.

The trial worked even better than expected!

Eason, and Principal, Pete Wilkinson, had both read and seen articles where similar things were happening both in New Zealand and abroad.

Studies have shown that dogs are amazing reading buddies.

An increased amount of empirical research over the last ten years has shown that children’s self-esteem and confidence with reading improved when using a therapy dog as the children don’t feel whakamā (embarrassed) or under any pressure to perform or that they are being judged at all. 

While Doug hasn’t been brought in specifically for the students to use as a reading buddy, he is available for them to take him to class with them when they feel the need.

Both Wilkinson and Eason have noticed a difference when he has been in meetings with students who might need a bit of behavioural guidance.

“When I’m speaking to someone about guidance or for pastoral reasons, he’s a calming influence.” Eason said.

“He will wander over to the student and be there beside them and their focus is on him rather than the much scarier adult in the room”.

Wilkinson said the same thing.

“When Doug is present during a meeting with senior management, he gravitates towards the students. He seems to know that they need him and he goes to sit with the student. Their confidence increases and anxiety decreases.”  

The College was aware of a few students who’ve had fears around dogs and they were talked to regarding the introduction of Doug as there was no desire to increase anxiety at all, but he’s been met with so much enthusiasm.

Year 12 student, Sweekriti Sunar, said that Doug has helped her feel happier about dogs due to the way he behaves. Other students commented the same and said how cool it is to have him around.

Doug isn’t just there for the benefit of the students however.

During morning staff meetings, Doug likes to wander around and see if there’s any interesting smells on the people there.

Eason noticed that quite often staff will go into her office just to have a pat.

“His influence is soothing, calming and also entertaining so he diffuses situations well,” she said.

It’s a special kind of dog that can do this sort of job and Wilkinson said you would need to really know your school community before looking into this idea.

“It’s not the breed but the temperament of the dog that matters”.

Doug has the most amazing temperament and lay quite happily listening to the chatter during the interview.

According to Eason, even as a puppy he was very chill so she was confident that he would be a fantastic addition to Northern Southland College.

“He’s happy for a pat but if the students don’t interact with him he’s also happy to wander over to someone who does want to give him some attention”

“He’s been a wonderful addition to our school community and we’ve had great support from parents as well” said Wilkinson.

“We really need more kindness in our lives and Doug just seems to bring out this kindness and empathy from the students and everyone he meets. He is old beyond his years”, he said.  

All the teachers have treats in their top drawer for Doug and fortunately, for the moment anyway, he’s content with these and not asking for a full salary!