CHILDREN at The Playhouse Day Nursery were treated to a special visit from a prize pooch last week after a woman with hearing difficulties brought along her dog to meet the kids.

The nursery, situated near the Greenbridge Industrial Estate, held a ‘people who help us’ day last week to develop the children’s understanding of the importance of helping others.

They were visited by a deaf woman who was accompanied by her assistance dog, Monty, who helps her throughout the course of the day, for example, when her alarm goes off in the morning and when the cooker timer is finished.

Monty, an eight-year-old cockapoo who has been with the her for the past 15 months, has a coat which, when he wears it, shows him it’s time to work. When it comes off at the end of the day, Monty knows he longer has to help her and can go out and play.

“The children were inspired by the visit and learned about the vital role Monty plays in helping the lady,” said Claire Hatherall, nursery manager.

“It was a timely visit with us keeping up our theme of helping each other.”

The woman, who wished to remain nameless, was the grandmother of one of the children at the nursery.

The nursery has had other special guest visits for its ‘people who help us’ theme, including from those who help out in the community and, more recently, a police community support officer.