Alyssa Serignese has owned Poncho her dog since she lived in Colorado where she grew up, and when she moved to New Zealand he came too.

Poncho now serves as the greeter at her partner’s Alexandra Tattoo Co shop in Central Otago.

 "He just kind of, you know, chills people out and he's very good in the shop," she said. 

The dog is also known to cross the hall to the pet store, sometimes carrying money to buy his own treat.

Poncho co-exists happily at Alyssa’s East Roxburgh animal sanctuary where he lives with alpacas, sheep, chickens and cats.

Alyssa said the cats “rule the roost” for sure.

The animal sanctuary is currently seeking to become a proper charitable trust to enable fundraising and donations. 

This will also allow them to expand their efforts to include rehabilitation and adoption services, as well as education for animal owners.