Meet Eric and Florence who became official staff members at an historic English abbey—even though they are dogs.
The black Labradors belong to the lay minister who assists with every aspect of the Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire—and they became regulars due to a sudden scheduling conflict.
As the head “verger” of the church, Chris Skepper was left in a quandary last year when his wife and daughter went away from home for an extended period of time leaving him alone with the two dogs.
He decided to seek permission to bring Eric and ‘Flo’ to work with him, so they would not be left on their own for long stretches.
They now arrive like clockwork at Tewkesbury Abbey every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and two Sundays a month—having been dubbed official ‘assistant vergers’.
The pair are also acting as therapy dogs for anyone who visits the Abbey—and they even don their own name badges.
“People absolutely love them—staff and visitors alike,” said Chris.
“They have added to the positive atmosphere here at the abbey and have had such a warm welcoming.”
“It was agreed initially that the dogs were allowed to come in temporarily for those three weeks, as long as they were well behaved and didn’t interfere.”
“But they got such a positive reaction from members of staff and visitors that they were allowed to stay.”
Eric and Flo now come to work with Chris and follow him around the Abbey. During services, they lie quietly on their mats in the side aisle.
On their working days, Chris asks visitors at the door if they would like to meet the dogs, which are 9 and 10 years old.
He has worked at the historic property since 2019, and has cared for the two black Labs since they were puppies.
He explains how the dogs provide a welcoming reception to people who may not be familiar with the Church.
“If you are involved in the Church, you forget how daunting it can be for non-church people to come into the building. There are these big dark doors, and people are not always sure what is going to happen when they go in.
“But then they come in, see the dogs, and think, ‘oh that’s ordinary! They can relate and it breaks down barriers.”
“Even if they don’t want to interact with the dogs, it puts a smile on their face.”
Chris says lots of people want to interact with the dogs, and he reports that they are very obedient with tasks and requests.
“Labradors are bred for a job, and they want to be with you and please you. As long as you give clear direction, they know their purpose.”
Chris explains how a verger is responsible for doing all the ‘behind the scenes preparation’ for the Abbey–including preparing for all the services, moving chairs, polishing, and cleaning.
Chris says the Labradors are especially brilliant at their new jobs.
“I can tell, when I bring them to work and they hop out the car and I put their lanyards on, that they they know what they’re doing—and their tails are wagging away!”
