Police Pup Hershey

Copper, Liv, and I would be honoured to read my book at your school.

CHAPTER SUMMARIES OF MY BOOK

Chapter 1 - Copper's Problem

A senior police officer, is frustrated that some students at her school are afraid of her police uniform and can't receive the help they need. She wishes, out loud at home in front of her herding dog named, Hershey, that she had a tool to show kids how she helps them. Hershey confesses to his police mom, who he fondly refers to as 'Copper', that he, too, fears police uniforms.

Chapter 2 - My Dream

Hershey, a uniquely calm and empathic border collie, feels like he is destined to do something different in life, rather than herd sheep. He wants to help children, rather than work with farm animals. Hershey's dog father, Hershey Senior, also knows that his son isn't engaged in his herding lessons. Hershey suggests to Copper that he become a police therapy dog to help kids reduce their fear of her in her uniform. Copper agrees, but the caring pup's dream becomes a nightmare when she takes him for a tour of the police station and he can't get past his fear of the police in their uniforms.

Chapter 3 – That Scary Uniform

Copper helps Hershey work through his fear of police in uniforms by relating a story of what her greatest fear was-police training. Inspector Dan, Copper's high-ranking boss, considers the possibility of hiring Hershey to be a therapy dog in his Youth Unit, and approves the eager duo for animal therapy school; but not without a stern warning to perform well. Hershey aces obedience training and informs his dog family, and his favourite stuffies, that he is going to school.

Chapter 4 - Animal Therapy School

Hershey and Copper attend Mrs. Katz's Animal Therapy School. Hershey learns the value of a good sense of humour from an unexpected student: a pot-bellied pig named Smooch. Hershey aces all the various forms of his school tests and is eager about his field trips. Copper presents him with a training vest and the determined doggo vows to do everything in his power to graduate from animal therapy school.

Chapter 5 - A Tricky Treat

Hershey's first field trip is to a child protection centre where he is drawn to an attractive facility dog, named Marley. Hershey chooses to stay focused on his career, and redirects his puppy love into being even more inspired to become a therapy dog. On the second field trip, to a senior's centre, Hershey and Copper experience a traumatizing setback that could jeopardize Hershey from graduating and getting hired by Inspector Dan.

Chapter 6 - Last Chance

Inspector Dan releases a fury of anger on Copper and Hershey for their foibles on their second field trip, but gives them one last chance as Mrs. Katz approved of Hershey's graduation. Hershey Senior, still unsure if his son who was born to be a herding dog can make it as a therapy dog, promises him that he will always have a job at home on his farm.

Chapter 7 - One Set of Clothes

Copper reminds Hershey that he has one week to prove himself as a therapy dog at Copper's work. His heart beats fast at the thought of being around scary uniforms again. Copper explains what his daily routine would look like. The pup, who is almost a year old now, is nervous about riding in a police car and hopes not to step on the light and siren buttons by mistake.

Chapter 8 - Herding is LAME

Copper comforts Hershey's nerves at the police station, or 'cop shop' as Copper likes to call it, on his first day. After Hershey's paw printing and introduction to Copper's direct supervior, Sergeant Smith, Hershey is delighted that Coppers squad brought items to welcome him. After indulging in some dog cookies, Inspector Dan warns Copper that if her farm dog isn't successful in one week, he can go back to herding sheep.

Chapter 9 - Copper's School

Copper surprises her fluffy partner-in-training with a special ride on his first day - a ride in a police Hummer. The school principal at Copper's school also welcomes Hershey with dog cookies and gives Hershey a tour of the school, introducing him to the students. The farm dog handles getting to know his surroundings well, and is overjoyed to meet all the students.

Chapter 10 - Just a Herding Dog

Hershey is still nervous to go back to the police station for his second day at work with Copper, but is relieved when they begin their day at Copper's school. Hershey makes friends with the cafeteria chef just before Copper they get assigned their first police report; a Grade 5 student named Robyn. The student admits to Hershey that she spends a lot of time on her phone, and is depressed because she feels like an outcast. Hershey relates to Robyn, but the conscientious pooch is stumped when Robyn asks for his help to find her some friends. Hershey's frustration mounts and he questions his ability to become a therapy dog when he is just a herding dog.

Chapter 11 - A Lesson from Hershey Senior

Hershey finally witnesses a student, named Robyn, who is afraid to talk to Copper. The compassionate canine decides to use the teachings of his wise dog-father, Hershey Senior. He is hoping to engage Robyn to participate in some brainstorming on territory that is well-known to Hershey: a field. The school constable and her furry sidekick reduce Robyn's fears of talking to a police officer during Hershey's favourite activity: a good ol' game of fetch. Robyn is grateful for the fun team's approach to help resolving her worries that led to her depression.  Back at the cop shop, Hershey enjoys a few cookies and realizes that police officers are regular people after all who want to help others.

Chapter 12 - Never Bite when a Good Bark will do

Hershey pulls a prank on Copper on the suggestion of her squad, and he begins to feel more comfortable around police uniforms. The school counsellor asks for Hershey's help with a Grade 6 student named Johnny, who started a fist fight when a boy named Megah called Johnny a coward. Hershey works hard to help Johnny feel safe to participate in a restorative justice meeting with Copper, the principal and Megah. Unbeknownst to Hershey, Megah's friends had also been invited to the meeting and Johnny lashes out at Hershey due to a misunderstanding. As Johnny runs away from the meeting and disappears into the school, Hershey resigns to the thought of working for his dog-father on his farm.

Chapter 13 - Herding comes in Handy

After Copper apologizes for not informing her new four-legged partner that Megah's friends were going to be at the meeting, Hershey sets off in herding style to locate Johnny, and try to convince him to return to the meeting. Once communication is restored with Johnny, a successful restorative justice meeting is concluded with the happiest of endings--Johnny and Megah become friends.

Chapter 14 - Sniffing out my own Case

Hershey learns that to impress Inspector Dan, he has to solve his own case from start to finish. The pressure is on, as this is the last day Hershey will be working with the students. The determined border collie is more than ready, so when the opportunity to solve a theft case occurring in the girls' locker room presents itself, the canine's instincts kick in. Hershey is proud to show off his soccer skills for the girls while he literally sniffs out his own case. Hershey is surprised when a quiet female student, named Roxanne, confesses to him. But the pup is put to the test when she begs him not to tell Copper.

Chapter 15 - Horsing around Helps

Hershey is unsure how to help Roxanne until the clever canine recalls from his school studies that any animal can help people to open up. Hershey suggests to Copper that they call the biggest therapy animal that Hershey knows--a Percheron horse named, Molly. Robyn is enamoured with Molly and feels safe to open up and confess to Copper about the thefts. Roxanne accepts Copper's offer to host an equine-assisted restorative justice circle. Robyn offers to volunteer at the barn to take responsibility for her actions.

Chapter 16 - Feels like Seven

Hershey anxiously awaits for Inspector Dan to arrive at work as today is the day he announces if he will hire Hershey to stay on in his Youth Unit. But one hour feels like seven for a dog, and the human's don't move as quickly as the energetically-charged pup wants. In the meantime, Hershey meets some of Copper's friends who also work with youth in other agencies. While patiently waiting for Inspector Dan, Hershey hopes he did a good enough job to impress him enough to be offered a permanent job.

Chapter 17 - Inspector Dan's Decision

Inspector Dan tricks Hershey to follow him outside for a discussion. Hershey believes he may be in trouble but in fact, the staff host a surprise party as Inspector Dan hires Hershey and welcomes him to the team. Hershey is overwhelmingly proud of his uniqueness and although exhausted, he can't wait to get back to work tohelp more kids, and eat more cookies.

THANK YOU SCHOOLS 

A BIG thank you to Sherwood School and Bessie Nichols School for allowing Copper and me to test-read my story on you. We had a lot of fun and learned many great suggestions for the final version of my book. Take care of yourselves and one another, and love the furry creatures in your life!

CRAVING ANIMALS IN YOUR LIFE?

Animals can help humans feel good by the simple and non-judgmental nature of the relationship. Whether it is a dog or a horse that you crave to be around, you can always have animals in your life through volunteering. Owning an animal is a large commitment and can be costly. Here are some suggestions I have to increase the amount of animal time you can have in your life without the expense and responsibility:

• ask around in your family, friends or neighbourhood if you can dog-walk or dog-sit......many people who have animals usually need help taking care of them

• foster......if you choose to foster an animal, the expenses are paid for by the foster agency

• volunteer at animal shelters

• volunteer at horse stables to clean stalls, groom, exercise horses if you have riding skills and help with lessons. Whitemud Equine Learning Centre of Alberta (WELCA) right here in Edmonton, is always looking for volunteers!

• all of these donated hours teach you skills and can lead to employment involving animals

© Copyright Hershey the Police Therapy Dog