We've had so many changes in the Education Team recently, and today we've got another two pieces of exciting news to share with you!
First off: we have a new member of the team! Dawn's dog, Odie, is now officially part of the Education Team, having passed his assessment with Dogs Trust's Training and Behaviour Team. Dawn is super thrilled to be able to bring Odie with her at last, and Odie is just as happy!
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| Say hello to Odie, our newest team member |
We thought that you would like to get to know him a bit, so we asked him some questions about himself.
Odie, tell us a little about yourself.
I'm the best dog ever! Well, that's what Dawn says at least- she wouldn't lie to me would she? I'm 14 months old, and I've been living with Dawn for 7 months. I had been part of a family as a puppy, but then suddenly found myself in a place with some other dogs! I heard my people say something about jumping on the children (boy I love to play!) and messing in the house, whatever that means! So I stayed in my new place for a while, and then I met Dawn and said that she could take me home.
How did you know you wanted Dawn to take you home?
Easy. I could smell the dog treats in her pocket.
What's your favourite thing to do?
That's so hard - I love EVERYTHING! Well, everything except baths, yuck! I do love to find Dawn's shoes and play chase with her when she tries to get them back... well it's not my fault she leaves them where I can get them!!!! I also saw one of those Andrex doggies on the TV playing with the toilet roll, it looked like fun so I tried it- it's SOOOOOO much fun!!! I like to decorate the house with it :) I love to play with my toys, and especially love to play with other dogs. I'm trying to convince Dawn to adopt another dog for me to play with!
What's your least favourite thing to do?
Baths, I just don't understand why Dawn makes me have one! All the treats in the world don't make up for her getting rid of the awesome smell I've spent weeks building up! I have to go to someone else every couple of months who makes me look even more handsome than I usually do, I don't mind her so much, especially when I see how good I look.
I also don't like being left alone, I'm getting used to it now a little, but I get afraid that Dawn's not coming back when she leaves. She gives me some tasty treats and my favourite Kong when she leaves, that keeps me busy!
Have you had any training?
Yes! Lots and lots! The first thing I learned was where to go to the toilet, no one had told me that it was meant to be outside before! Dawn also took me to training classes which I had great fun at, and I learned lots of new things there, and I got to show off my massive dog smarts! Dawn says that training is a great way to keep me busy, and all dogs should have some training. We do a little bit most days- I love showing off how clever I am.
What do you think about your new job?
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| Odie rocking his new uniform. |
I'm soooooo excited!!!! I love small peoples soooooo much. I think they're my favourite kind of people! They're so much fun! Dawn says that if I stay nice and quiet and calm while she's talking to the children, that at the end I might get rubs off of some of them! How cool is that?!
I met Jake last week and he gave me some tips too, he's been doing the job for ages and knows alllllll about it. I hope I can be as good as he is!
Finally, what are you looking forward to most about being an Education Dog?
That's easy. I can't wait to help teach the children all about what dogs like me need to be healthy and happy! I think they'll be great dog parents when they grow up, and their dogs will be as happy as I am! I also can't wait for all the rubs from the small peoples, I love rubs!
Welcome to the team Odie! :)
Our second piece of news today is that Odie, and Dawn, who was our South Connaught and Clare Education and Community Officer, are now covering the Cork and South West Munster area in place of the lovely Liadh. Dawn says:
"I'm so excited about taking over the Cork and South West Munster area, especially with the news that Dogs Trust will be opening a new Rehoming Centre in Cork in the not too distant future! I'll miss Connaught and Clare though, and had a fantastic year setting up the new area and meeting lots of lovely children (& teachers!) on my travels. I'm sure whoever takes over the area will love it just as much as I did"
Dawn has already started visiting schools in the area and is taking bookings for the academic year so if you're a Cork or Kerry school who would like to arrange a visit, you can email her on dawn.kavanagh@dogstrust.ie, or call on 087 9239221.
If you would like to find out if there's an Education and Community Officer in your area, visit www.learnwithdogstrust.ie or email education@dogstrust.ie.
