Meet Scout

Breed: Golden Retriever

Barking from: Hamilton

Job Title: Therapy school dog

What's up dog?

Scout is a gentle, kind and outgoing dog who loves being with people and children. She is a Canine Friends Pet Therapy girl who visits the Linda Jones retirement village regularly. We begin in the Dementia Care Unit, followed by the hospital and the rest home. As a retired secondary school teacher she also comes with me when I relieve at school. Just visiting the local farmers market, she has her own place as a dog who children love to interact with. Scout always has a gentle and happy disposition and she engages everyone in the retirement village. In dementia care she is the catalyst for conversations about her age, breed and gender and also about their lives. In the hospital she quietly and efficiently says hello to those in the lounge and those in their rooms.

She knows when someone is very sick and needs her kindness. In the rest home she brightens the afternoon as she says hello to everyone and sits hopefully for an afternoon tea treat. If time allows we go into the main lounge to say hello to those who have gathered for happy hour. Everyone smiles and responds to this beautiful dog. At school she brings a calm vibe to the classroom. Even the more challenging students love her presence and quietly get on with their work. She encourages them to behave and do their best because she does her best. From Year 9 to Year 13 she helps students in every way. When we arrive students call her by name. Every single student knows Scout and ask for us to be the reliever for their class. Wiggly bum and waggly tail and a smiling face lifts the day for all of us, and I love sharing her kind, gentle dog-personality with everyone. I love Scout and how she makes everyone feel good about life.

2025 NZ Top Dog with a Job Award

Judging and criteria

Purpose

This award recognises a working dog that goes above and beyond to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Whether supporting people or fellow animals, this dog’s daily efforts help improve wellbeing, provide support, or create meaningful change in their community.

Reach

Does your dog make a difference in the life of one individual, or do they support an entire group, workplace, or community? Tell us who they help and how far their support reaches.

Impact

What kind of impact does your dog have in their role? Share how they’ve enhanced wellbeing, supported mental health, or improved the lives of those around them