Therapy dog helps school community in wake of deaths

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A tight-knit community on South Australia's west coast is struggling to come to terms with the untimely deaths of two people connected to the local school. But a recent arrival to the town of Elliston is helping with new ways to deal with grief.

Transcript

00:00 Hayes the Groodle Puppy is Elliston Area School's newest student.

00:07 He's been helping children in the playground and the classroom to cope with the recent

00:11 death of a classmate and a teacher.

00:13 Since we got Hayes pretty much everyone's been a lot more positive.

00:19 You can pat him and make sure that you're ok I guess.

00:23 Last year seven year old Nya Dudley, a student and daughter of two teachers, died suddenly

00:27 with influenza A.

00:29 Almost a year later this community lost a popular teacher, Simon Baccanello, in a fatal

00:35 shark attack.

00:36 A memorial service was held in May at Walker's Rocks at the site of the attack.

00:41 We've been through some very sad times, it's just been really difficult.

00:45 Jay Dudley says her daughter's death last year was very traumatic for the community.

00:50 That was a real shock to everyone that this could happen here and to someone so young

00:57 and she was really one of those really sparkly people that made a huge impact on everyone.

01:05 But the impact has been eased since the school won Hayes in a competition.

01:09 He's being trained to visit classrooms and rooms among the children at recess and lunchtime.

01:14 After the tragic event it was hard and then Hayes came in and whenever he steps a foot

01:21 in the classroom it just brings joy.

01:23 When he walks into the classroom everyone's like "Oh Hayes!"

01:29 Instant joy.

01:31 It's not just for me, it's for everyone in every single class.

01:36 Everyone has been feeling a bit sad but Hayes just makes everyone feel a bit happier.

01:43 Along with counselling and a wellness program, Hayes is helping everyone here to cope with

01:47 grief.

01:48 It's been a bit of a haze but he's bringing that joy and helping us with our recovery

01:56 that's for sure.

01:59 Joy that deserves a good rest in the Principal's office.

02:02 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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