A RESCUE dog from the Chew Valley area has been helping to bring smiles to people with learning disabilities.

When Rodney the Jack Russell gets up every morning, he knows he has a very important ‘job’ to do. Eleven year-old Rodney goes to ‘work’ each day with his ‘mum’ Bex Skinner, service manager at Hft’s supported living service in Montpelier, Bristol.

Bex says: “Rodney loves it.

“Each morning he’s by the front door excited about starting his day.”

On arrival at the supported living service, where 14 learning disabled adults aged from 35 to 80 are supported, Rodney is quick to begin his ‘duties’.

He starts with a quick check on the residents, popping his head around the doors to their self-contained apartments to say hello.

Bex continues: “He likes to say hello to everyone on arrival.

“And he does his rounds of the property, wagging his tail as he goes, to check everyone is ok.”

Rodney, who lives in Pensford with Bex, has become a real hit with those supported at the service, including Adrian who makes a special trip to the local pet shop each week to buy him treats.

Adrian, who volunteers at a local charity shop, said: “He has his favourite treats, so I buy him the same ones each week from the pet shop close to where I volunteer.

“I love having Rodney around.

“He makes me feel relaxed and happy, especially when he sits on my lap.”

Rodney - who is a rescue - first visited the site after Bex showed residents pictures of her beloved hound.

Bex said: “Everyone loved looking at the pictures and hearing what adventures Rodney had been up to.

“And it wasn’t long before the requests started coming in for him to come to work with me and become a full-time member of the team.

“So I checked to make sure it was ok for him to come in to work with me and the rest is history.

“He is now a very much loved four legged Hft colleague and is a real friend to people we support.

“He’s definitely got a fan club here and he gives special doggy kisses to his favourite residents.”

As well as his morning ‘patrols’, Rodney, who has his own risk assessment in place as a Hft colleague, also enjoys watching TV with some of the residents in the communal conservatory.

He also enjoys sniffing around the site’s large garden and searching for squirrels. He has his own bed in Bex’s office and a basket full of toys.

This is not the first time that Rodney has become a firm favourite. He used to accompany Bex to the office when she worked managing a dementia care unit, much to the joy of its elderly residents.

Bex said: “Rodney is a very sociable dog and prefers people to other animals.”

“He helps some residents with their anxiety and is always there to give a cuddle when they perhaps are agitated or upset.”

“He’s our unofficial therapy dog and having him here helps make the house into a home.”