Whisky

1st Place Winner   I    2025 NZ Top Dog People's Choice Award

Meet Whisky

Breed: Field breed Golden Retriever

Barking from:Mount Roskill

What's up dog?

Whisky is more than just our school dog he's a much-loved part of the team. As both a teacher and his mum, I get to see every day how much of a difference he makes, just by being himself. He has this incredible way of knowing who needs a cuddle or a bit of company. Whether someone's had a rough morning or just needs a moment to reset, Whisky's there tail wagging, ready to sit quietly or lean in for a hug. It's pretty amazing how much calmer and more positive the room feels when he's around. In class, he supports all kinds of learners. Some kids find it easier to focus or settle when Whisky's lying nearby. Others feel more confident reading aloud to him because he just listens no judgement, no corrections, just soft eyes and the occasional tail thump. He makes learning feel a bit less scary, especially for those who need that extra encouragement. Whisky also helps keep everyone active. He loves his walks during break times, and students take turns walking and training him. It's a real highlight for many of them and a great way to build responsibility, empathy, and connection. Plus, he genuinely enjoys it (he gets excited as soon as he sees his lead). Whisky, our school dog, has a way of making everything feel a bit better. He brings calm, comfort, and a lot of smiles just by being himself. Whether he's hanging out during reading time, getting pats at break, or just snoozing nearby, he helps everyone slow down and feel a little more at ease. It's hard to explain the full impact he has there's just something special about him. He lifts the mood, makes people smile, and reminds us to be kind. Even teachers and visitors walk away happier after seeing him, and somehow the workload feels a little less stressful with Whisky around. As his mum, I'm always amazed by how much love he gets and how much good he does without even trying. He's just being Whisky. And that's more than enough.

2025 #NZTOPDOG Awards Ceremony

After 9 weeks and over 300 entries, the search is over. Frog Recruitment, in partnership with Simparica Trio, Jetpark Hotels, and Addiction, are proud to have presented 2025 #NZTOPDOG.

On behalf of the entire NZTOPDOG team, thank you to everyone who entered and helped make our 10th edition such a tremendous success. The last few months have been about celebrating our furry best friends and shedding some light on their paw-some work. While each entry was uniquely different, the one thing they all had in common was that having your tail-wagging pal around had helped improve your mental health.