My name is: Harper
I came from: Cyprus
Now I live in: Corby, Northamptonshire
My favourite things are: Going to the paddock, treats, ball and cuddles
Follow me on Instagram: @harpertherescuelab

Harper’s story

I adopted Harper in July 2021 and had been looking for a rescue dog who could fulfil two factors, be a school therapy dog and be a companion for me! I initially became in contact with Underdog through our school participating in the Great British Bark Off week and it was almost as if fate (and Underdog of course) put Harper and I together. Harper was a Cyprus rescue pup and came to the UK in June 2021, spending some time with a fantastic foster family until I could adopt her at the start of the summer holidays.

She came to me with some needs, nervousness – particularly when in small spaces, terrible loose lead walking skills (which we continue to work on) etc… but is now so confident in every way. Harper has an amazing trainer who has been working with us over the last two years on a range of needs and has seen Harper grow into the even more wonderful dog she is today!

Harper has a day at Doggy Day Care a week (which she loves) to socialise with other dogs and so she isn’t in school full time, and I work from home one day a fortnight with her. Harper has a home away from home in my office at school and it is a great relaxing, chill out space for her. The school has lovely grounds so she gets good walks throughout the school day, which sometimes include children and always a tennis ball!

At home, Harper loves nothing more than to snuggle up next to me on the sofa or go on a sniffari in our garden, she has a special bush which she hides in if she is having a stubborn moment! She loves to lay outside in the sun and is so enthusiastic, caring, loyal and loving. Her favourite walk is always a paddock walk, where she gets to be off lead and run to her heart’s content – she is a fabulous ball chaser and retriever!

It has been a privilege and an amazing two years with Harper and I couldn’t imagine my life without her now. She is establishing herself as our therapy dog in school, working with a range of children, listening to reluctant readers read, supporting a little boy who is registered blind and wants a guide dog when he is older, teaching children how to handle and behave around a dog in the ‘Hanging with Harper’ after school club. Harper is a very intelligent pup, she has a real instinct when working with children with special needs and disabilities (SEND) in school, being more gentle, more calm and more patient than usual, she really is an amazing dog in every way (even if she can be very stubborn sometimes!).

Harper is still my shadow, my loyal, loving friend, making my life better in so many ways and she truly is my heart!

Family and close friends say she is a spoilt dog…I say she is a beautiful rescue who deserves to be spoilt!

- Natasha