NEW MEMBER OF THE COUNSELLING TEAM
M
eet Loki, our new Dio colleague who joined the counselling team during Term 4, 2021. Loki is a 10-year-old male Staffordshire Bull Terrier and he is an extra special companion animal (pet). Not only is he incredibly handsome, but Loki is also a trained St John’s therapy pet. He and his guardians (owners) Stuart, Ron and Sandra Vandenberg are members of a wider community of volunteer dogs and their guardians who are kept very busy supporting the St John’s Therapy Pets Programme here in Auckland. This programme was founded in New Zealand in 1988 by Bob Kerridge (SPCA) and his late wife Iris, having been enthused by a similar programme
30
DIO TODAY
running in San Francisco, USA. In 2003 the SPCA partnered with St John to grow the service within the Auckland area and eventually nationwide. St John solely operates the service throughout New Zealand today. Loki joins us on Mondays for half the day and can be seen in the Counselling Suite (C2.50) and also experiencing the wider school environment – wherever he is needed to provide support. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Loki’s guardians for enabling us to work alongside him. Having Loki help us to support our clients within the therapeutic setting is just wonderful. St John Therapy Pets Programme has more than 150 volunteers sharing
their pets throughout New Zealand. Visiting schools, libraries, rest homes, hospitals and other health services, these furry friends can help children with their reading, boost wellbeing, ease loneliness, and provide distraction and comfort. Dogs are not the only animals providing therapeutic support. Companion animals involved in the St John Pet Therapy Programme also include cats, reptiles, rabbits and birds. Please do not hesitate to make contact with Clare, Alison or Fiona if you have any concerns regarding the wellbeing of your daughter/s: cnorton@diocesan.school.nz achang@diocesan.school.nz fpritchard@diocesan.school.nz
