As the Bryant school district’s very own therapy dog, Archie Hay needs an assistant throughout the day to help him with important business. Cindy Prescott has stepped in as his new handler.
“I’m just a dog lover,” Prescott said.
She found out about the job through Archie’s owners, Jason and Kelly Hay. Prescott has known Archie since he was a puppy. She took care of him when Jason wasn’t available.
“When Mr. Hay was here, there would be times he wouldn’t be on campus, and so sometimes I would take him out to potty for him,” Prescott said.
Jason brought Archie to the junior high when he was principal. He took a position at the high school, so wasn’t able to bring Archie to the junior high campus this year. Before Prescott could be Archie’s handler, she had to train to be one through Pet Partners. Pet Partners was also the organization that Archie went through to become a therapy dog.
Prescott has one dog of her own. Her name is Daisy Mae Prescott. Daisy Mae and Archie used to play together when Archie was a puppy.
Despite going home to Daisy Mae, Prescott has a unique working relationship with Archie.
“Yes [we do have a bond],” Prescott said, “he’s very special.”
