A PRIMARY school's therapy dog has become a smash hit with pupils and staff and a star on social media.
Archie, a two-year-old Shih Tzu, is the therapy dog at Harden Primary School and has also become popular on both Instagram and Tik Tok.
His own account on Instagram, archie.the.school.dog, gives the school pupil's parents and his fans the chance to follow his exploits in and out of school.
Archie has a number of duties at the Long Lane school and is always on hand to help with the emotional wellbeing of both pupils, aged between five and 11, and the school's staff.
His roles include sitting with children who may need reassurance when coming into school. Pupils who might be reluctant readers also read books directly to Archie to help them with their literacy skills.
Children are also given time with Archie as a reward for good behaviour in school.
He even accompanied nervous pupils when they had their flu jabs in school in November last year to help to reassure them.
He is also a popular member of the staff room and even appeared in the school's photograph.
Archie is in school every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and staff and pupils have even held a birthday party for their four-legged friend.
Posts on his Instagram account, have included Archie being spotted at Goose Eye Brewery, in a paddling pool filled with colourful plastic balls, on his walks and enjoying playtime with the pupils at Harden Primary.
Headteacher Kirsty Hutchinson, who is Archie's owner, said: "Since the pandemic, he has been a godsend, supporting everybody's emotional wellbeing, both staff and children's.
"He has become a staff member and even featured on our photo at school.
"Archie has been an asset to our school. He has been coming in since he was six months old.
"He will do anything we need him to do. He is there on-hand if we need him.
"He has helped to support children's mental health after the pandemic.
"The children bring him treats. We celebrated his birthday and they bought him presents on the day and even last Christmas.
"The staff love him and he sits with them. He is a busy boy, but we make sure Archie has plenty of rest and downtime.
"He is also outside playing with the children at lunch. He gives them a distraction.
"When I walk around school, the main question I get asked is 'where's Archie?"
Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01274 705292.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here