FORT BEND, Texas — School bus driver Denise Dolcoe has been deemed a hero for her actions to help a child who was being attacked by a dog.

Dolcoe, who works for Fort Bend Independent School District (ISD), was driving her bus through a subdivision on her afternoon route on Nov. 20 when she noticed a pit bull attacking a girl.

Fort Bend ISD officials said that Dolcoe immediately stopped the bus, grabbed a bucket and ran to the girl’s defense. She threw the bucket at the dog in hopes that the animal would be distracted long enough for her to get the child to safety.

Dolcoe then solicited the aid of other adults in the area and remained on the scene until an ambulance and police officers arrived to take care of the girl.

“It is soothing to my soul to know that there is a real hero and angel around to care for our children,” said Barbara Brown-Johnson, a resident of the subdivision who witnessed the attack. “Miss Dolcoe’s maternal instinct and quick thinking helped save the child, and we commend her for her unselfish act of heroism.”

Stacy Broussard, area supervisor at Fort Bend ISD's Lake Olympia terminal, presented Dolcoe with a framed copy of the thank-you letter from Brown-Johnson.