Billinge St Aidan's brought bit of Hope by therapy dog Pippa

As Billinge St Aidan's Primary School reopened its doors last Monday, pupils were greeted by the sight of a little dog called Pippa and her handler Ali to brighten up their day.

Pippa and Ali make up part of a therapeutic service called, ‘Hope’s Therapy Dogs.’

Their story started back in 2016 with St Aidan’s pupil, Hope Colley, daughter of Ali whom Pippa belonged to.

In 2016, Hope then aged seven, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. She underwent extensive aggressive treatment and by Christmas of that year the family thought she was in remission.

Her parents bought her Pippa believing that she would help Hope to recuperate.

However, Hope sadly relapsed and Pippa instead became her therapy dog and she was by Hope’s side throughout the last 11 months of her life.

She even sat in Hope's arms as she died.

Towards the end of her life, knowing what an impact Pippa had made, Hope asked her mum to train her as a therapy dog so that she would be able to help other children.

Pippa

Following her death, Ali trained Pippa to become a volunteer therapy dog for the organisation, Therapy Dogs Nationwide.

It was at this point that Pippa returned to Hope’s former school St Aidan’s, to earn her stripes.

She visited at least once a week, helping Hope’s classmates through the grieving process and many other children besides.

Pippa became important to St Aidan’s because of her links to Hope and the work she did to relieve suffering after Hope had died.

Acting head teacher at the school Rachel Fisher says "she represents hope for the future for our school, it is like a little bit of Hope is still with us".

Ali has since trained extensively as a dog handler, set up a therapy dog service in another school and become a licensed thrive practitioner.

She has brought all her experience together and, using her own dogs, set up a professional therapeutic service focusing on social, emotional and mental wellbeing which she hopes will bring both hope and healing to the children and schools who access it.

Ali and Pippa

Ms Fisher added: "For us at St Aidan’s to have this little dog and her handler back in our school, working therapeutically with our children reminds us continually that darkness cannot last long where there is light.

"In this time of darkness in our nation and in our community, we are thankful to have bringers of light and Hope in the form of Pippa and Ali."

Ali said: “St Aidan’s School meant the world to Hope. She loved her teachers and her friends passionately.

"The school and in particular Melanie Ravenscroft and Rachel Fisher helped our family through the hardest of times.

"It is only fitting that on setting up this service, they are the first to receive it’s care. Hope would have been so proud and thankful to know that Pippa is bringing joy to so many children now.”