{"id":6692,"date":"2025-12-25T03:51:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T03:51:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=6692"},"modified":"2025-12-25T03:51:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T03:51:55","slug":"the-working-dogs-that-dont-stop-for-the-festive-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=6692","title":{"rendered":"The working dogs that don’t stop for the festive season"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"ElizabethElizabeth Kane<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Jojo, an autism support dog, is an invaluable companion 365 days a year<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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By now, many of us are off work for Christmas Day and enjoying switching off with family and friends.<\/p>\n

Not so, for many of Northern Ireland’s dogs with jobs – the four-legged professionals who keep working just as they do at any other given time of the year.<\/p>\n

But even while working, their families are making sure they still have some festive fun and treats – as well as a lot of love.<\/p>\n

BBC News NI meets some of the working dogs who will remain on duty over Christmas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘I love her – she’s one of my best friends’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"ElizabethElizabeth Kane<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lucia says dog Jojo is her best friend<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Christmas is often a time of excitement, of more noise and bright lights, a time of festive hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n

For Lucia Kane, 17, from Crumlin in County Antrim, that can make it a more challenging time. She is autistic and has Tourette syndrome. <\/p>\n

Her support comes from Jojo, a seven-year-old black Labrador – one of Assistance Dogs NI support dogs.<\/p>\n

Jojo senses when stress levels rise. She responds by lying close or across Lucia to help calm her. <\/p>\n

Jojo’s presence offers reassurance when things become too much.<\/p>\n

“I really do love her, she’s one of my best friends,” Lucia told BBC News NI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"ElizabethElizabeth Kane<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Jojo became part of Lucia’s world five years ago <\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Lucia’s mum, Elizabeth Kane, said Jojo transformed her daughter’s life when the Labrador became part of the family five years ago.<\/p>\n

“She gives Lucia confidence and helps her talk to people,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Her presence de-stresses any situation one million percent.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"ElizabethElizabeth Kane<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Jojo has recently recovered from a period of ill health<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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“Christmas can be a lot more challenging,” Elizabeth added. <\/p>\n

“If we go out, there are more people, and [if] there is more people and more noise, Jojo will not leave Lucia’s side.”<\/p>\n

This Christmas, Elizabeth said, feels especially precious for the family.<\/p>\n

Jojo recently survived a serious illness after swallowing a stone. That left Jojo very poorly and Lucia distraught. <\/p>\n

“Lucia didn’t sleep, didn’t leave the house,” Elizabeth said.<\/p>\n

Now fully recovered, Jojo will be spoiled a little more this Christmas, she added.<\/p>\n

“Lucia will wrap her presents and Jojo will open them herself,” she said.<\/p>\n

“There will be extra gifts this year \u2013 and definitely turkey and ham on Christmas Day.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Keeping people safe at Christmas<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"PSNIPSNI<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Igi, on the left and Kodi, pictured right, will be working in the north west on Christmas Day<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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In Londonderry, a busy Christmas may lie ahead for Igi and Kodi.<\/p>\n

Like many emergency service personnel, this police dog (PD) pair have work to do over the holidays.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately both Kodi and Igi will be on duty this Christmas Day,” Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Insp Neil Harrison said.<\/p>\n

A few rest days will come after, he said, adding that then they can enjoy their presents and get some rest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"PSNIPSNI<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Often a bark or stern look from Igi can defuse a tense situation, Insp Harrison says<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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PD Igi, a German Shepherd Dog, is a general police patrol dog. He could, Insp Harrison said, be called on to attend a variety of incidents over this festive season.<\/p>\n

“There is a lot more socialising and we see nightlife increase – and it is great to see – but, unfortunately, it does come with an increase in some anti-social behaviour, falling out amongst people and drink\/drug driving,” Insp Harrison said.<\/p>\n

However often, “a few choice barks” or “a stern look from the big fella” is all it takes to de-escalate the situation, the senior officer added.<\/p>\n

Insp Harrison said Christmas is a difficult time for some people and they can find themselves in crisis.<\/p>\n

PD Igi can also be called on to help in the search if someone goes missing.<\/p>\n

“Igi’s nose and tracking abilities can be invaluable to the policing efforts,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Those who need a little help are often glad to be found by a police dog.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"PSNIPSNI<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Kodi is a PSNI search dog<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Cocker spaniel Kodi is one of the PSNI’s newest search dogs. <\/p>\n

“She enjoys nothing more than her favourite game of finding hidden items,” Insp Harrison said.<\/p>\n

In terms of Kodi’s policing work that could mean drugs or weapons. <\/p>\n

“Kodi is busy all year round helping the PSNI with our efforts to remove these items from criminals and locate drugs before they get into the communities,” he added.<\/p>\n

When the Christmas shift is done, Insp Harrison said, “relaxing and getting some rest” will be the priority for both dogs and handlers.<\/p>\n

He added: “All our dogs will be spend some time at home, at some point over the festive period where they enjoy Christmas just like everyone else.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Christmas on the farm<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"ThomasThomas Conway<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Bowie will be out and about on the farm over Christmas<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Sheepdog Bowie, a collie and Australian Kelpie mix, has been farmer Thomas Conway’s right-hand dog on his cattle and sheep farm in Park, County Londonderry, for the last four years.<\/p>\n

“You couldn’t run a farm without a good sheepdog,” Thomas said.<\/p>\n

“That goes for all year round, a good sheepdog is worth 10 people on the farm,” he told BBC News NI.<\/p>\n

Spring lambing season is Bowie’s busiest time, but there’s still work to be done on the farm at Christmas.<\/p>\n

“At wintertime you are moving sheep and changing sheep. He is out most days all day, every day, he’ll be out on Christmas Day,” Thomas said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"ThomasThomas Conway<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

George, the springer spaniel will be out on the farm with Bowie and Thomas on Christmas Day<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Bowie’s never short of canine company, sharing farm life with Thomas’s other dogs, springer spaniels Bob, Lala, George and Flo.<\/p>\n

“We’ll be out three or four times, on Christmas Day,” Thomas said. <\/p>\n

“I will do my rounds in the morning, we’ll check the livestock, check the sheep that are out. Bowie and George will come with me,” he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"ThomasThomas Conway<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The spaniels will be at work at a Boxing Day shoot<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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The springer spaniels, Thomas added, will work at a shoot on Boxing Day.<\/p>\n

Bowie, named because like musical icon David Bowie he has different coloured eyes, will enjoy a more relaxed day. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"ThomasThomas Conway<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Thomas says George, pictured, and all the other dogs, will get second helpings on Christmas day<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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All five dogs, Thomas added, can also look forward to a Christmas treat or two.<\/p>\n

“They’ll get two feeds on Christmas Day, there will be turkey and ham, and the stuffing and some of the bones, they’ll be mad about that.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

#working #dogs #dont #stop #festive #season<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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