How rescue dog Harper is transforming Leicester school

A dog rescued from Cyprus is transforming the education of children in Leicester, a school has said.

Rushey Mead Primary School adopted Harper the Labrador as a therapy dog ​​to help students.

Four-year-old Harper spends most of her days at the school where she has become a chaperone for her 500 students.

She is often found at the school gates meeting and greeting students and parents, but she also gives a paw in the classroom.

Harper’s owner and the school’s assistant head teacher, Natasha Jackson, said she took Harper in as a pet through the charity Underdog International from a family in Cyprus who were unable to give him the time and care he needed he needed

“She has really established herself as our therapy dog,” Miss Jackson said.

“She has worked with a wide range of children, listening to reluctant readers read, supporting a little boy who is blind and wants a guide dog when he is older, teaching children how to behave and behave around a dog .

“Kids love Harper Time, whether they’re curled up on a bean bag to read it or playing at recess.

Miss Jackson added: “You can see how it has transformed learning for many of the children.

“There are some kids who have had problems at home and they have said how much she is a comfort to them.

“She is very, very good with our SEN (special educational needs) children. She’s able to sense the mood and know if she needs to be calm and gentle.”

Tashvi, one of the students who reads with Harper, said, “I love when Harper stretches out when I read to her.”

Colleg Kalan said that he loved to walk around the playground and play with her.