The working dogs that don’t stop for the festive season

Currently, most of us are off work for Christmas Day and enjoying the holidays with family and friends.

This is not the case for many working dogs in Northern Ireland; four-legged professionals who continue to work as at any other time of the year.

But even while they’re working, their families still make sure they have holiday fun and treats, as well as lots of love.

BBC News NI meets some of the working dogs who will be on duty over Christmas.

Christmas is usually a time of festive hustle and bustle with excitement, more noise and bright lights.

For Lucia Kane, 17, from Crumlin in County Antrim, this could make the situation more challenging. He has autism and Tourette syndrome.

His support comes from seven-year-old black Labrador Jojo, one of Assistance Dogs NI support dogs.

Jojo feels his stress level increasing. She responds by lying close or diagonally to Lucia to help calm her.

Jojo’s presence provides reassurance when things get too much.

“I really love him, he’s one of my best friends,” Lucia told BBC News NI.

Lucia’s mother, Elizabeth Kane, said Jojo changed her daughter’s life when the Labrador became a part of the family five years ago.

“It gives Lucia confidence and helps her talk to people,” he said.

“His presence reduces the stress of any situation by a million percent.”

“Christmas can be a lot more challenging,” Elizabeth added.

“If we go out there will be more people and [if] “If there are more people and more noise, Jojo won’t leave Lucia’s side.”

Elizabeth said this Christmas was especially precious for the family.

Jojo recently survived a serious illness after swallowing a rock. This left Jojo in a very bad situation and Lucia was devastated.

“Lucia didn’t sleep, didn’t leave the house,” Elizabeth said.

He added that Jojo, who is now fully recovered, will be pampered a little more this Christmas.

“Lucia will wrap her gifts and Jojo will open them herself,” she said.

“There will be extra gifts this year and there will definitely be turkey and ham on Christmas Day.”

A busy Christmas could be in store for Igi and Kodi in Londonderry.

Like many emergency service personnel, this police dog (PD) couple has work to do during the holidays.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Inspector Neil Harrison said: “Unfortunately, both Kodi and Igi will be on duty this Christmas Day.” he said.

A few rest days will come after, he said, adding that then they can enjoy their presents and get some rest.

PD Igi, a German Shepherd Dog, is a general police patrol dog. Inspector Harrison said he may be called upon to attend various events this festive season.

“There is a lot more socializing and we are seeing increased nightlife – and it is great to see – but unfortunately it comes with an increase in some anti-social behaviour, fights between people and alcohol/drug use,” Insp Harrison said.

But the senior officer added that often “a few barks of options” or a “stern look from the big man” is all it takes to de-escalate the situation.

Inspector Harrison said Christmas was a difficult time for some people and they could find themselves in crisis.

If someone gets lost, the Police Department Igi can also be called upon to assist in the search.

“Igi’s nose and tracking abilities could be invaluable to policing efforts,” he said.

“Those who need a little help are often happy to be found by a police dog.”

Cocker Spaniel Kodi is one of the PSNI’s newest search dogs.

“He enjoys nothing more than his favorite game of finding hidden objects,” said Inspector Harrison.

In terms of Kodi’s policing efforts, this could mean drugs or weapons.

“Kodi has been busy all year helping the PSNI in our efforts to take these items out of the hands of criminals and find drugs before they enter communities,” he added.

Inspector Harrison said “relaxing and getting some rest” would be a priority for both dogs and handlers once the Christmas shift was over.

She added: “All our dogs will spend some time at home at some point over the festive period, where they will be enjoying Christmas like everyone else.”

Sheepdog Bowie, a collie and Australian Kelpie mix, has been farmer Thomas Conway’s right-hand dog on his cattle and sheep farm in Park, County Londonderry, for the past four years.

“You can’t run a farm without a good sheepdog,” Thomas said.

“This is true all year round, a good sheepdog is worth 10 people on the farm,” he told BBC News NI.

Spring lambing season is Bowie’s busiest time, but there is still work to be done on the farm over Christmas.

“In the winter you move the sheep and change the sheep. He’s out most days, every day, he’ll be out on Christmas Day as well,” Thomas said.

Bowie’s canine friendship is never lacking; He shares farm life with Thomas’ other dogs, Springer Spaniels Bob, Lala, George and Flo.

“We’ll be out three or four times on Christmas day,” Thomas said.

“I’ll do my rounds in the morning, we’ll check the farm animals, we’ll check the sheep that come out. Bowie and George will come with me too,” he added.

Thomas added that the Springer Spaniels will be working on a shoot the day after Christmas.

Bowie, who took this name because he has different colored eyes like the music icon David Bowie, will spend his days more comfortably.

Thomas added that all five dogs can look forward to a Christmas treat or two.

“They’re going to get two feeds on Christmas Day, it’s going to be turkey and ham, it’s going to be stuffing and some bones, they’re going to be mad about it.”