Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Beaty-Warren Middle School eighth-graders (from left) Cameron Erwin, Kyreine Godden, and Kyrielle Bailey, with teacher Teresa Abplanalp, take the school’s therapy dog – Hero – for a walk on Friday.

Beaty-Warren Middle School’s therapy dog, Hero, has some busy days.

But, no matter what’s on the schedule, he goes for a walk every day.

On Friday, the autistic support class took a break in the middle of their double period of ELA and math.

Kyrielle Bailey, Kyriene Godden, and Cameron Erwin, with Teacher Teresa Abplanalp, accompanied Hero through the halls, across the school’s front yard, and over to Beaty field for a lap around the track.

“We take him every day,” Abplanalp said. “We’re working on some manners.”

The year-old golden retriever is already well-mannered, but he did find certain smells curious along the way and had to be encouraged to stick with the program.

Ten minutes is about right, Abplanalp said, but the walk sometimes takes longer when the weather is nice.

The students enjoy the responsibility of walking with Hero and are looking forward to continuing those walks, even when the snow flies.