The two of us: David and Fergus

Meet David and his best friend, and Trinity Therapy Dog, Fergus. David is Trinity’s Director of Junior School Sport and Cocurricular Activities and has been a wonderful teacher to the many students who have passed through the Junior School.

Fergus, who is training to be an accredited Therapy Dog for Trinity, can also be found with either of his trained handlers, Leeann Bruzek or Lucy Truesdale, supporting students with their school work in the classroom and honing their creativity in the Art Room.

I was first employed at Trinity in 1988, however there have been a few stints away from the school over the years. These have included an 18-month teacher exchange at a school in West Sussex in the UK (who had Pippa the golden retriever as their school dog!), and some time at other schools, including teaching in a remote Indigenous school north of Broome in the Kimberly from 2007 to 2009.

During my years at Trinity, I have worked in a range of roles and am currently the Physical Education teacher for Year 4 to Year 6 students, while also coordinating the internal and external Junior School sports program and cocurricular activities.

Being involved in a broad range of school programs has given me many opportunities to work with a variety of people and more importantly, school students.

Our family has always had golden retrievers. Fergus is related to Trinity’s previous Therapy Dog, Harvey Peanut (who is his nephew!). Fergus has been the third golden retriever in our family, and we just couldn’t imagine a life without them.

The training regimen for Fergus involves attending Saturday obedience sessions with Therapy Animals Australia, who is responsible for training Fergus. Brad Rundle (OTG 1993 and past staff) from Therapy Animals Australia also attends school on a fortnightly basis, working with Fergus and his handlers in the school environment and classrooms.

Fergus brings our family great enjoyment and we love to see the work and enjoyment he has been able to bring to the Trinity community.

I love coming to school three days a week as Trinity’s Therapy Dog.

On Friday mornings, the highlight of my week is to greet the Prep and Year 1 students when they arrive at Roberts House, or farewell students when I am on duty at the Charles Street Gate.

I am very proud of the tricks I have learnt so far: sitting in one spot, shaking hands and walking well on the lead without pulling – when I’m not distracted!

Outside of school, I play with a range of special dog toys that cannot be destroyed, and I love going for long walks with my family at the beach in Point Lonsdale.

When I’m not sniffing some leftover lunch snacks, I enjoy dry dog food. But most of all, my favourite treat is carrots!