0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hi. This is Animals At Work,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06the show that brings you...animals at work!
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Around the world, there are millions of animals that have jobs.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13When we say we've got animals at work, we're not kidding!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17This is the show that brings you the most extraordinary,
0:00:17 > 0:00:21bizarre and unusual animals at work.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Coming up...
0:00:22 > 0:00:26this classroom comes face to face with their new teacher,
0:00:26 > 0:00:28a cheetah.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35We meet Sven the rock-star dog.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37This is really a dog playing music.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40And meet Mr Foley,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44a hound prepared to do anything to raise money for charity!
0:00:44 > 0:00:45If it's a dress do,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48he'll come wearing his bowler hat and his bow tie.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Hello and welcome
0:01:08 > 0:01:12to the Animals At Work Educational Complaints Department.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14This week, someone has put pen to pad
0:01:14 > 0:01:17and really let the cat out of the bag.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21It seems there may be a teacher who's a cheetah.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24If that's right, that's a sorry, sorry tail,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and frankly, I'm feline far from fine about this matter.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Animals At Work is litter-ally going to find out
0:01:31 > 0:01:35if this really is a cat-alogue of errors.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41First, we're racing to South Africa
0:01:41 > 0:01:44to meet one of the fastest sprinters on earth.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Nestled in South Africa's North-West Province
0:01:55 > 0:01:58is the De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07It's home to nearly 100 big cats.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11So maybe this little one should leave right now!
0:02:13 > 0:02:16These are the fastest animals on land.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20They can go from standing still to 120 kilometres an hour
0:02:20 > 0:02:21in three seconds.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24That is faster than most supercars.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30And certainly faster than their handlers!
0:02:32 > 0:02:34The cheetah is able to run this fast
0:02:34 > 0:02:36because they have extra-wide nostrils
0:02:36 > 0:02:39that enable them to breathe in more oxygen
0:02:39 > 0:02:42as well as an enlarged heart and lungs
0:02:42 > 0:02:46that work together to pump the oxygen around the body.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49These are the fastest animals on four legs.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Hello, my pussycat.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Well, most of them are.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57You're gonna give us a good run. Yes, you are.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Meet chilled-out cheetah Byron.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Byron is a very, very special cheetah.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Come on, pussycat. You can do it.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10As long as things go according to his plan,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12everything works beautifully,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14but the moment he's not happy with something,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18well then, the world just comes to an end and the day stops.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Come on... Byron...
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Byron! Baby!
0:03:23 > 0:03:26SHE LAUGHS
0:03:26 > 0:03:28He just wants the food.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31"Why should I hunt for my own food?"
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Byron believes that he is royal...and rightly so.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39He is beautiful. He knows it.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Byron is set apart from his super-fast cat pals
0:03:44 > 0:03:47by his relaxed air,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50but this laidback attitude makes him the perfect candidate
0:03:50 > 0:03:53to be the centre's cheetah schoolteacher.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56That's right, this cheetah is a teacher.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Typically, cheetahs don't grow up to be teachers,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02but due to a rough start in life,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05sociable Byron is specially suited
0:04:05 > 0:04:07for this highly interactive line of work.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13When he was only six months old, baby Byron's cheetah mum decided
0:04:13 > 0:04:15she didn't want to care for her cub any more.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20Luckily for Byron, Marilyn took over and hand-raised this gentle cheetah.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22As Marilyn's favourite,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26Byron was brought up a little differently from the other cheetahs.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29He watched television - always his favourite show -
0:04:29 > 0:04:33checked himself out at his dressing table...
0:04:33 > 0:04:35..and most importantly,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38this pussycat learned to love a good snuggle.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43And by the sound of his purring, this is clearly one contented cat.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I can see that naughty face.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48When you get to know cheetahs,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51you can see how sensitive they really are.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56Byron has got the most enormous personality
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I have ever come across in a cheetah.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06And because of this amazing personality,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10Marilyn knew he would make a great cheetah teacher.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Tomorrow is a big day for this cool cat.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17He will be meeting with a classroom full of cheetah-scared children
0:05:17 > 0:05:20to teach them about how to protect his species in the wild.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Something tells me there will be no talking-back to the teacher
0:05:24 > 0:05:26in this classroom tomorrow!
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Generally, when I walk into a classroom with Byron,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33one of the first questions I get are, "Will he eat me?"
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Now we're heading over to the capital of rock'n'roll, LA,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42to meet two best friends.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52One of the duo is a talented musician,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and the other is his owner Steve.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02But you'll have to wait to hear this howling-mad mutt's masterpieces,
0:06:02 > 0:06:07as they're heading downtown to see how well Sven's debut CD is selling.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13We're gonna go promote your CD at Amoeba Records. Yeah! Good boy.
0:06:13 > 0:06:20Steve plays drums and his doggy chum Sven plays everything else.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22That's the piano,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24vocals and guitar.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Yes, that really is a dog playing guitar.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39This is one marvellous mutt with talent.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42What's more, they have a big gig tonight.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44How's the record doing?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Oh, it's doing good. Glad you came by.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Promoting a show tonight at the Echo.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Really? He's gonna play live?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- He's gonna play live.- That's great.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- Do you see we have it on display? - Let's check it out.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Come on, Sven.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Here it is.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Sven, you can't see it. That's too tall.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03I think he's, um, somewhere right behind The Knack here.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05K-9 Fusion. There's my boy.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The most successful dog artist probably in the rock section.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Sven and Steve met ten years ago.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18They were both going through a wuff patch,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20and they were so glad they found each other.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Sven is my true soul mate.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25If there ever was such a thing as a soul mate, he is the prime example,
0:07:25 > 0:07:31and, uh, it's a bond that... He's changed my life.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32I know everybody says this,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35but he's more human than any dog I've ever seen.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40He really tries to communicate, and, uh, he's the reason I do what I do.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42We hang in there for each other.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45But when Steve noticed Sven's talents,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48they formed the band K-9 Fusion.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56As well as playing the instruments, Sven is on vocals.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03The way I did the CD, it was done several different ways,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06but I recorded his vocals, for instance,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08cos in the morning I can get him to say real words,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10and when he's growling and he wakes up,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12he says, "I love you. Who really loves you?"
0:08:12 > 0:08:16It's hit or miss, but sometimes these real words come out.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Did you hear that? Say, "I love you." Say, "I love you."
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Say, "I love you."
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Say, "I love you." Good boy!
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Once I have the vocals on tape,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32then I just added some drums to the vocals.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37It's all dogs except for the drums. The drums are the only human element.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Everything else is dogs.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43But Sven won't let Steve dog the limelight.
0:08:43 > 0:08:49Yes, lucky for us, Sven just can't keep his paws off the piano.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51He just pounds on it with his feet and he rolls over
0:08:51 > 0:08:54on it and I can guide him up and guide him down and conduct him.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58He'll even touch certain keys with his nose if I point at the key.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01He'll get two or three notes in a row if I point at the keys.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04But he plays with the most enthusiasm with his feet.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08And when they've tickled the ivories,
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Sven's feet show even more talent for pawing at the guitar.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Sven uses his feet on the guitar the same way he does on the piano,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20but he'll also use his teeth like Jimi Hendrix.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Ahhh, music to the ears!
0:09:24 > 0:09:27I just pick the best pieces.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29They are best pieces?
0:09:29 > 0:09:31He writes the music, you know,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and I overall kind of compose it into a song.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39So it's the big night,
0:09:39 > 0:09:44and the band head down to the world-famous Sunset Boulevard
0:09:44 > 0:09:47for the rock'n'roll gig of a lifetime.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:10:12 > 0:10:16And Sven is obviously a big hit.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Oh, he's an amazing performer.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20I mean, he has the nuance.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25He has, you know, the drive to go ahead and take the chance.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29This is really a dog playing music.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32He has a lot of star quality.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37I especially like his keyboard work. I'm very impressed by that.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41I've heard all the bands in LA.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Sven was at the top of the list. Definitely top five.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46I think Sven really enjoyed the show.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50His tail was wagging. He's got rock'n'roll in his blood, you know?
0:10:50 > 0:10:52That's my boy. He's a rock star.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01We've been looking out for your home videos
0:11:01 > 0:11:03of what animals get up to on the weekend.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08Take Eddie the eight-year-old donkey from Leicestershire, England.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11He really, really loves the whiff of wellies and can't get enough.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15MUSIC: "These Boots Are Made For Walking" by Nancy Sinatra
0:11:22 > 0:11:25That's one donkey who gets a real kick out of boots!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Back to cheetah teacher Byron in South Africa.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Byron was born in captivity but abandoned by his real mum,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48so after a rough start in life he was adopted by human mum Marilyn,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51and since then he's lived a life of luxury.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55Hello, big boy.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Now that he is fully grown, Marilyn decided
0:11:57 > 0:12:01it was time to channel his energy into education,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and now Byron is the centre's first cheetah teacher.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06That's a good boy!
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Byron's main focus is the education of children.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14His main job is to create awareness,
0:12:14 > 0:12:20and he is making an amazing difference for the cheetah species.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Today, the children at this school
0:12:22 > 0:12:25will be having the wildest lesson of their lives.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Byron is booked to educate them about cheetahs.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35It's important that these kids learn to love the cheetah,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39because when they grow up they could become farmers,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43and it's essential that farmers respect free-roaming cheetahs.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45By learning to live together,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47the farmer and the cheetah can share the land.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49What's more, farmers can pass on information
0:12:49 > 0:12:52about cheetah numbers to conservationists.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56This is important, as cheetah numbers are vulnerable.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00And this cheetah teacher is here to help.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01That's such a good boy.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04He just has this huge personality
0:13:04 > 0:13:06that can cope with everything that's thrown at him,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09and I think he's probably one of the best ambassadors
0:13:09 > 0:13:12for the cheetah species that I've ever come across.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Good boy!
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Cheetahs are a good choice for the job of teacher.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22They are much less dangerous to people than other big cats
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and were first tamed as pets thousands of years ago
0:13:25 > 0:13:27in ancient Egypt.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29You wanna jump down? OK?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Good boy! Good boy! Do you want a treat for that?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36But cheetahs are still wild animals,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and Marilyn is constantly alert for any changes in Byron's mood
0:13:39 > 0:13:41that might mean he's upset,
0:13:41 > 0:13:46as it's not a good idea to stroke a wild cat unless it's in a good mood.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48That's why before every lesson,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52every child in the class is taught how to behave around these big cats.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57But before he heads to school,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Byron needs to shake off yet another cat nap
0:13:59 > 0:14:02and start his day with a proper meal.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05And this is Byron's food that we're making.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Big-cat breakfast is a hearty one kilogram of raw meat,
0:14:09 > 0:14:14delicately minced and heated to please his picky highness.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Hey, pussycat. Byron? Byron!
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Do you want your food this morning?
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Oh, did I have to bring it all the way? That's nice.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Now go to your corner. Mm-mm.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30No, no, no. I don't think so.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Can we sit nicely, please?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Oh, what a clever man you are.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Byron's room service also includes poop scooping...
0:14:45 > 0:14:47..and all-you-can-drink fresh water.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52With the lesson starting in less than an hour,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Byron had better hurry up and get on his way
0:14:54 > 0:14:58so he can take his place as the day's star feature.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03If he says, "I'm not getting into the car,"
0:15:03 > 0:15:06he's not getting into the car. I mean, we're not going.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Oh, no. You gotta be kidding me.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17I am not working with a beast. You want me to present with a lizard?
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Do it yourself!
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Did...? Actually, that was pretty good.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Don't quit your day job, though.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It's time to sail over to the south coast of England.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01This is the fantastic Mr Foley, a very busy charity fundraiser.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07He's certainly not to be sniffed at, because he's a dog in demand.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10He's a model.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12He marches for miles.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15He's literally run off his four feet.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18PHONE RINGS
0:16:21 > 0:16:23And all in the name of charity.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25You can talk to me. I'm his PA.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27PHONE RINGS
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I think you've got the wrong end of the stick. Mr Foley is a dog.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32PHONE RINGS
0:16:32 > 0:16:34You want to make a booking? Yeah, right.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35He's in a meeting at the moment.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Yes, PA to a dog! - PHONE RINGS
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Sorry, can't manage that date.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- PHONE RINGS - That'll be fine. Next Wednesday.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47I have an eleven-stone Leonberger that treats me like a dogsbody.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Mr Foley is on a mission
0:16:50 > 0:16:53to raise thousands of pounds for a home for sick children.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55PHONE RINGS
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Mr Foley and his PA Jenny will do just about anything to raise money.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03And you want him to wear a pink tutu? I'm sorry.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05He doesn't do pink tutus.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Apart from the pink tutu, nothing is too far-fetched.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14And it helps that this pooch has a penchant for fancy dress.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17His doggy fashion has made him a local celebrity.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21And his personal appearances have become very profitable.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24This pooch knows a thing or two about publicity.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25PHONE RINGS
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Hello? Builder's outfit?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Well, yes, he can come in his Harley Davidson gear.
0:17:30 > 0:17:31If it's a dress do,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34he'll come wearing his bowler hat and his bow tie.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Yes, he also carries a briefcase and has got a rolled umbrella.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Mr Foley only joined us just over six months ago,
0:17:42 > 0:17:47and he has in fact already helped to raise over £24,000.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Hi. Hello? Yeah, Mr Foley's PA.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53What would you like him to wear?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Jenny, his PA, works extremely hard.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01He likes dressing up and he's rather photogenic.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09Oh, he's in the papers nearly every week. He is just absolutely adored.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13And today, Mr Foley is going straight from this photo shoot
0:18:13 > 0:18:15to his hairdressing appointment
0:18:15 > 0:18:17to get himself ready to meet the public.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20I am Mr Foley's personal beautician.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24He may dress up in silly outfits, but he does have some standards.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Basically, what we're doing here for him today is just giving him
0:18:30 > 0:18:33a good old comb-out to get rid of all of the excess hair.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40Yes, very proud to be the groomer to such a famous dog.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42He's done fantastic work
0:18:42 > 0:18:45raising funds for the Children's Hospice South-West.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49And there's one other way that this tireless fundraiser
0:18:49 > 0:18:51likes to get the public to splash their cash.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55He takes to the streets of Devon to collect money.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04Mr Foley is one dog that actually likes the pound, and lots of them.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06And the public just loved him.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Oh, that was a wonderful cuddle.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13He's in a good mood, pulling the cart, smiling at the customers.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18Oh, he likes that. Awww. Isn't that nice?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Say, "Bye-bye, doggy," then.- Bye-bye, doggy.- Bye-bye.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24We've been here only a half an hour.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27We've already raised £130,
0:19:27 > 0:19:33and that makes the total that Mr Foley has raised so far £24,130.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Job well done. He's going home now and have a big bone and a rest.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Wow! Not bad for a morning's work.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Good luck with getting the rest of the money raised.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52We've been keeping our eyes peeled for your home videos
0:19:52 > 0:19:56showing what animals get up to in their spare time.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Check out these cheeky meerkats
0:19:58 > 0:20:00at the Battersea Park Children's Zoo in London.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03MUSIC: "Let Me Clear My Throat" by DJ Kool
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Just look at those meerkats move it!
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Onwards to the Windy City, Chicago.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42This dotty Dalmatian is unique in Chicago.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46He's the only fire dog who still goes out on calls.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Thirty gets his name from Engine 30,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52which is the fire truck that he rides on.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Thirty has been doing this for over ten years
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and has been on more than 25,000 call-outs.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Before fire engines were invented,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08fire-fighters rushed to fires in horse-drawn wagons.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11They needed the dog to help clear the way.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Dalmatians were popular firedogs because of their strength, speed
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and their ability to calm the horses during a fire.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Dalmatians would ride on the truck and guard the rig during fires.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28As a dedicated fire dog,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31it's part of Thirty's job to be the face of the fire station
0:21:31 > 0:21:35and meet the public, so he needs to stay clean and presentable,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37which means a twice-weekly bath.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50He's not a fan of being hosed down, but it's a necessity
0:21:50 > 0:21:54as, once a week, Thirty and the fire-fighters from his station
0:21:54 > 0:21:57visit a junior school for a fire drill and safety lesson.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02This gives the fire team the chance
0:22:02 > 0:22:03to test the fire alarm at the school.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07It also gets the children to practise their fire drill
0:22:07 > 0:22:08in case of an emergency.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10How many people here have pets?
0:22:11 > 0:22:15How many people have dogs? We all love our dogs, right?
0:22:15 > 0:22:18We have a fire, are we gonna run back in and get our pets?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- No.- No, right. We don't go back in those dangerous situations.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23All we can hope for is that you teach the dog
0:22:23 > 0:22:26how to come out of that building, too. Correct?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30While Thirty makes education about fire safety fun,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34back at the station he has some even bigger fans.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37He kind of has, like, three families that roll into one family.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42There's 21 guys that are assigned to this house, and he's our pet.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I couldn't imagine the house without him, really.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49When you come in in the morning, Thirty greets the oncoming shift,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52and he's just pleasant to have around.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54So he's just part of the family. He's one of us.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02He's not only one of the family but a valued member of the team.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Chicago's last fire dog is here to stay!
0:23:13 > 0:23:16We've been surfing the net to find out
0:23:16 > 0:23:18what animals get up to on their days off.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Check out this greedy hamster.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24How many carrots do you think he can fit in his mouth? One?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27That's a big bit of food for a little mouth.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Two? Whoa, and room for afters.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Three?!
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Four?!
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Nope, not quite enough space!
0:23:46 > 0:23:51Back to Byron the cheetah in South Africa,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55The De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre in South Africa.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57After living a life of luxury,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00it's time that Byron stepped up to the challenge
0:24:00 > 0:24:04and responsibility of becoming a full-time cheetah teacher.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07It's time to clock on and set off to the school
0:24:07 > 0:24:09for his first lesson of the day.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Generally a laid-back cat about town, in the past this teacher
0:24:13 > 0:24:17has tended to pick and choose when he felt like starting his shifts.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19But not any more.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Marilyn is hoping Byron will take his new job seriously
0:24:22 > 0:24:25and get moving even quicker than usual.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28If he says, "I'm not getting into the car,"
0:24:28 > 0:24:32he's not getting into the car and we're not going.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42As always, Byron does what he wants when he wants
0:24:42 > 0:24:44and in his own sweet cheetah time.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54A human teacher could go into a classroom
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and the children could get bored,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00but when Byron turns up and if he gets it right,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03these children could be hanging from his every purr.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07And for most of these anxious kids, it will be the first time
0:25:07 > 0:25:11they've been in the same room as a wild animal, let alone a cheetah.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14He's in a pretty good mood today.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17He was a really good boy getting into the car.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26ALL: Yes!
0:25:27 > 0:25:28ALL: Yes!
0:25:34 > 0:25:35ALL: Yes!
0:25:36 > 0:25:37ALL: Yes!
0:25:37 > 0:25:41It's his big moment, and Byron is ready for his entrance.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46As Byron comes into the room, the class are on edge.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51Their idea of a cheetah is a wild beast, and they feel nervous.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Byron is not relaxed either
0:25:55 > 0:25:59and sits stiffly as silence falls on the room.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01If Byron doesn't turn on the cheetah charm,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05these students may leave today without learning about his species
0:26:05 > 0:26:08and Byron will not have done his job.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Byron needs to stay calm so the children can relax
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and the lesson can finally start.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Marilyn's reassuring touch, Byron's chilled, and the lesson begins.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Some of them were just so petrified, so scared,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30and you could see it in their faces
0:26:30 > 0:26:32when they were coming up to touch him.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35And once they've had that opportunity to stroke him and they walk away,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38it's a totally different look on their face.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41There's still fear, there's still awe, there's all sorts of things,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43but there's a lot more understanding.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56After Byron's lesson, what do they think of their new teacher?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Cheetah-rific work today, teacher!
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Hey, listen, I thought I'd tell you some jokes.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14I've got some pretty good ones. What did the horse say when it fell over?
0:27:14 > 0:27:15"Giddy up."
0:27:15 > 0:27:16- HE LAUGHS - Yeah!
0:27:18 > 0:27:19When does a horse talk?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Whinny wants to! Neigh!
0:27:22 > 0:27:23HE LAUGHS
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Pretty good, huh?
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Why such the long face?
0:27:26 > 0:27:27HE LAUGHS
0:27:27 > 0:27:30The long face! Get it?
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:39 > 0:27:42E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk