Rescue dog plays unlikely role at Cincinnati Zoo

CINCINNATI (Perry Schaible) -- If you're looking for things to do with your kids before they go back to school, you may want to consider the Cincinnati Zoo. And if you go, be sure to stop in the nursery, where you'll come across two unlikely friends. 'Blakely' may look like the classic pet, but he has a big job at the zoo. He's the nursery dog. A nanny whose job it is to provide comfort, care, and snuggles for baby animals. Blakely helped raise Savannah and Santos. Now he has a new charge, "Dale," a two-month-old takin who is being hand raised in the nursery. "With any baby it's never really pulled unless there's some sort of issue. In Dale's case, his mom was a first time mom that didn't take to him." It's an unlikely pair. Blakely is an Australian Shepherd rescue. Dale, a takin, a mix between an ox and an antelope from China. "As they grow up, his role changes. He provides socialization, teaches behavioral skills that they need." All those skills are vital for the babies to be reintroduced to their families. So, not only does Blakely serve as a nanny of sorts, but when they get a little bit older these two are also playmates. They're out here in the play yard for about half an hour at a time and when they're here, it's usually play time." It's a job that comes naturally to Blakely. "He just knows it. he has a really good disposition. He's really gentle. He kind of just takes to any animal." Follow Perry Schaible on Twitter @Local12Perry and LIKE her on Facebook.