After spending his early years racing, three-year-old greyhound Āki is enjoying a more relaxed and comfortable lifestyle with his adoptive owner, Pip Speedy – a counsellor at Ōrewa College.
This year, Pip is bringing Āki to school with her, where she says his calm presence can provide emotional support to students.
“He is particularly gentle and sweet when he sees a student in distress and is a fabulous non-judgemental listener,” Pip says.
She says students engaging in a counselling session with Pip will often pat Āki, which helps regulate emotions while building the counselling connection.
“Āki has a wonderful sense of when and how to approach a student and seems to know the right amount of energy to meet each student with.”
There is plenty of dog-free space so students who visit the guidance department only meet Āki if they wish to.
Pip says the young greyhound clearly loves his new role.
“Āki is always excited when he sees his school harness come out of the cupboard at home. He loves the attention he gets from students and shows his appreciation by rolling on his back for tummy rubs.”
Āki’s racing name was All Day Long, which Pip changed to Āki which means ‘to encourage in te reo Māori. He has also learned his basic commands in te reo, which Pip says helps promote use of the language in the college.
