Willow cuddles are the best!
As we reflect on 2024, our hearts are full of gratitude and pride for everything the Ted’s Space family has accomplished. This year, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Teddy, our beloved therapy dog whose gentle soul touched so many lives. His legacy continues to inspire us every day, with Daisy and Willow stepping beautifully into his role. Daisy, with her forgiving nature and endless care, and Willow, growing in confidence and skills with gentle support, have brought immeasurable joy and comfort to our students and communities.
Fabulous training time with our Ted's Space students. Making use of different spaces around the school.
A highlight of the year was attending the Cooperative Care course with internationally renowned educator and behavior specialist Eva Bertilsson. Eva’s expertise in science-based, animal-friendly approaches helped us equip Willow with new skills to navigate busy, unpredictable school environments. We learned techniques to support Willow’s movement, care, and training, ensuring she feels confident and calm while providing therapeutic support to students. Eva’s lifelong dedication to enhancing the quality of life for animals and the people they work with was truly inspiring, and we are already seeing the benefits of these strategies in Willow’s work with our students.
Our students have also made us incredibly proud, not only through their personal growth but also in their generosity toward others. Together, they’ve worked on creating snuffle mats and enrichment toys to support other charities (HUHA, Wgtn & Hutt City Animal Services, Chance 4 Change), embodying the spirit of giving back. We’ve also seen wonderful collaboration with entire classes crafting weighted therapy dogs to support their peers and school—a testament to the creativity, kindness, and teamwork of our young people.
One of the gorgeous rescue pups from HUHA enjoying some cuddles with our awesome Aotea College students.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our funders—Pelorus Trust, Nikau Foundation, Regional Response Fund, and Ministry of Education Pacific Education Support Fund —whose contributions have allowed us to keep making a difference. This year, we also had the joy of bringing parents and whānau together for special evenings that strengthened our connection with the community, creating shared moments of learning, reflection, and celebration.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited about continuing to grow Willow and Daisy's skills, expanding the work of Ted’s Space, and reaching even more students and schools. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to continue this journey together with you all.
Thank you for being part of the Ted’s Space family. Here’s to a new year filled with compassion, connection, and countless wagging tails!
