A new face at Carinity Education Rockhampton this school year will be a specially trained therapy dog named Maverick.
Therapy dogs help to reduce anxiety and stress and provide companionship for people of all ages.
Maverick will provide the ‘paw-fect’ pick-me-up for students going through a rough patch: hugs and cuddles.
He was gifted to Carinity Education Rockhampton by Singleton dog breeder Tamaruke, which has genetically developed the breed over the past 30 years – specifically to be companion animals.
“They are smart and intuitive and easily trained. Their exceptional traits make them such wonderful therapy dogs, comfort dogs, assistance dogs, medic alert dogs and comfort dogs,” Tamaruke manager Monique Buckley says.
Not only will Maverick play an important role at Carinity Education Rockhampton, he will visit residents of the Carinity Shalom seniors’ community in North Rockhampton and undertake other engagements within the wider community.
The puppy is currently undertaking six weeks of training to prepare him to work with school students and staff and other members of the Rockhampton community.
His training is being funded by a Community Recovery Challenge grant received by Carinity Education Rockhampton, for activities helping to build community capacity and resilience in the Livingstone Shire region.