One of St Bernard Primary's most beloved staff members offers his students emotional support and a patient ear to help them practice their reading.
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His name? Pickles, a caramel-coloured Cavoodle owned by classroom support assistant Deb O'Brien.
The popular pooch visits the school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, joining Ms O'Brien in working with students who need his support.
And at recess and lunch he spends time with school staff in communal areas.
Learning support teacher Sharon Beashel said Pickles helped calm upset students and provided a non-judgemental ear for those practicing reading aloud.
Students sit with Pickles, read him their stories and explain the pictures, with the school aiming to help them relax and enjoy literacy.
"It's probably exceeded our expectations in how beneficial it is to have a dog in the school," principal Jacqui Heffernan said.
"I think it's increased morale."
Pickles is a veteran of the pet therapy industry having trained at a Batemans Bay retirement village before coming into the school.
He joins four chickens at St Bernard's, which also hopes to introduce dorper sheep.
"I think schools have got to think outside the square on how best to support students," Ms Beashel said.
A similar initiative happens across the border through the national Story Dogs program. Robyn Bromley and her whippet Dashi joined with Libraries ACT mid-last year to help students gain confidence in reading.
