Meet Zephyr
Breed: Border Collie
Barking from: Auckland
Job Title: Education dog
What's up dog?
Zephyr is the MATES Pawsitivity and Wellness Officer! MATES is the Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme, working with over 300 young people each year. MATES is a not-for-profit education programme run by the Great Potentials Foundation. Our mentors are University students (who get to see Zephyr for cuddles during stressful times) and mentees are Year 8 and Year 13 students across 14 schools from under resourced communities in Auckland, NZ. Mentees are selected based on their potential to succeed despite factors that may prohibit them from doing so (low income family, first in family, etc). MATES is a structured mentoring and tutoring programme that happens every week after school during Term time to boost academic potential, confidence, and positive self esteem of mentees with the help from their mentors!
Since introducing Zephyr to MATES, he has visited MATES sessions at school to talk about dog safety, kindness and empathy and of course, to show off his pawty tricks! He signs off every email and message with a 'pawsitive tip' and a funny picture to accompany it. Zephyr even comes to the office each week and has his own ID tag! Zephyr brings so much love and joy to the students and staff we work with that we really need to consider having him on the payroll. Zephyr lights up any room he enters! With his devilish handsome looks and expressive 'eyebrows', people fall in love as soon as they meet him. Even with our shyer students, Zephyr encourages confidence through his 20 something tricks (he listens to anyone with a treat) and gives an opportunity for staff to take brain breaks through walks or a round of fetch.
He makes a daily appearance on the MATES instagram page (@matesmentoringnz) and even made an appearance on Auckland Transport socials with their pets on public transport initiative! You will even get a glimpse of strangers on the bus fawning over Zephyr and giving him lots of cuddles after we get off the bus which was completely not scripted! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CD2Xjw7B6/ (video with Auckland Transport) Zephyr is a silly, goofy boy at the best of times and he knows how to make you laugh without trying very hard. One time, we were all in a very serious SLT meeting and the atmosphere was tense. What did Zephyr do? Rub his whole body against all the walls of course to break the tension. He also likes to climb up on the sofa in the CEO's office to look out the window to watch the cars on the motorway. As you can imagine, Zephyr is an office favourite!
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
