A Ruff Remedy
12 July 2025
By UWCSEA Communications team
Whether a student’s feeling anxious or unsure where they fit in, Rico helps shift the focus. Suddenly, they’re smiling, opening up, or connecting with someone new. He’s this walking icebreaker.
– Ben Hill, School Counsellor, Counselling and Wellness Department
Meet Rico!
This three-year-old Golden Retriever, part-time therapist and full-time good boy, can be found every Wednesday at the Counselling and Wellness Centre on Dover Campus. He listens (without judgment), offers hugs (on request), and has an uncanny ability to turn a stressful day into a better one. As an official member of the Counselling Team, Rico supports students in ways that words sometimes can’t.
A lesson in acceptance and belonging
Walking into the Counselling and Wellness Centre can feel intimidating, but when you notice Rico trotting over, ears perked and tail thumping against the floor, suddenly everything feels a little lighter. Stroking his soft fur or sitting beside him releases oxytocin, the “love hormone”, which naturally calms the body and mind.
“He’s like a pattern interrupt,” says Counsellor Ben Hill. “Whether a student is feeling anxious or unsure where they fit in, Rico helps shift the focus. Suddenly, they’re smiling, opening up, or connecting with someone new. He’s this walking icebreaker.”
Rico’s magic isn’t just one-on-one. He creates quiet bridges between students who feel nervous in groups, and even those who carry fears as personal as a fear of dogs.
Take Sia, now in Grade 2:
“When I was little, a dog jumped on me and scared me, so I thought all dogs were dangerous. I was too afraid to go near them. But in Grade 1, Mr Hill introduced me to Rico. He was calm and friendly, and I slowly built the confidence to stroke him. Soon, I even let him lick me! Now, I’m not afraid anymore—and I really want a puppy of my own. Thank you, Rico and Mr Hill, for helping me.”
One of the best things about Rico is that he teaches by example. His presence isn’t just comforting—it models respect and empathy. Students learn that not every interaction is about them; Rico has his own moods and needs, just like people. Some days he’s playful, others he needs space. The Counselling Team is intentional about making every interaction a choice for both students and Rico. In learning to connect with him, students learn how to connect with each other.
At UWCSEA, belonging isn’t just an idea—it’s lived every day. Rico shows how something small and thoughtful can make a big difference. Just by being himself, he brings people together, lifts spirits, and reminds students they’re not alone. Sometimes, all it takes is a wagging tail, a gentle nudge, and a well-timed goofy grin to say: you belong here.