STUDENTS at Hillvue Public School wear their red and green uniforms with pride, and the school's educational support dog is no exception.
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Sheeba the black labrador started this week of school in a brand new, specially made outfit modelled off the primary school's girls' sports uniform.
Sheeba's handler and special education teacher Joanna Dockerty said the pup was "insanely intelligent", and now she has a smart new outfit too.
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"One of our school goals is that the children should come to school in their uniform and be really proud of their uniform ... we've got to try and get everyone to wear it with pride and feel connected to school as a community," Ms Dockerty said.
"I thought getting one for Sheeba would be a great addition, and it's good fun and it's a little bit of enthusiasm and school spirit."
Sheeba's special uniform was made by Tamworth-based business Bug's Pet Boutique and the embroidery was done locally.
"It was really nice to be able to support local with this ... the lady did an amazing job to make a school uniform that fits a dog," Ms Dockerty said.
Sheeba was bred in Tamworth, and at just 14 months old, she is already both a specially trained assistance dog and educational support dog.
She has spent about 10 weeks at Hillvue Public School, mostly working in the special education unit.
Ms Dockerty said Sheeba can help kids in the classroom or out on the playground.
She is just a really, really beautiful thing to have here at the school.
- Joanna Dockerty, teacher
"She is so perfect, she loves loves loves children and she's very good ... and the kids just love her, they really do. " she said.
Sheeba can do anything from lending a soft ear for students practicing their reading to doing "deep pressure therapy" for children when they're upset.
"She plays ball, comes to tennis ... goes to assemblies, goes on the school bus, she's just a really, really beautiful thing to have here at the school," Ms Dockerty said.