We are very excited to introduce you to a new member of our team, our School Therapy dog, Nancy!

What are the benefits of having a school dog?

Therapy dogs have been working in UK schools for the past five years but have been commonplace in schools in the US and Australia for many years. Research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools, which include:

• Cognitive companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game-playing.
• Social – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others
• Emotional – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts moods, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieve anxiety.
• Physical – interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses
• Environmental – a dog in a school increases the sense of a family environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over.

Will Nancy be properly cared for?

Nancy is extremely well looked after. She lives with her owner Leah and at first, will come into our school but will stay safely with Leah in nurture area of school.  Leah, Mrs Marsden and our Inclusion Team will introduce Nancy to our environments and she will then work with some of our children but will always be accompanied by Leah. 

She will be kept clean and well-groomed at home and children will have to wash their hands and use anti-bacterial gel after contact.  All children coming into contact with Nancy will brush their clothing using a lint roller to minimise hair transfer onto clothing.

Should the dog defecate on school premises it will be cleaned up by Leah using animal waste bags and a disinfectant used to clean the area. Waste will then be carefully and suitably disposed of.

How do we know Nancy is ready to work in school?

Nancy has undergone a programme of thorough and rigorous training so is extremely well-behaved. She has been assessed and is ready to work with any children. Whilst Nancy is in school, she will always be supervised by her owner Leah. Nancy will visit the vet regularly for all her injections as well as regular check-ups. If Nancy is unwell for any reason, she will stay at home.

My child is scared of dogs

Some children may have had upsetting experiences and have a fear of dogs (or another animal). Nancy will only be in contact with children whose parents have given their permission. However, Nancy’s training has taught her to be calm and gentle around children; she has a very loving and gentle nature. Experience and research have shown that, with proper guidance and handling, children can learn to overcome their fear of animals and grow in respect and appreciation for them.

The school has a ‘no dogs’ policy

Schools comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and are required to consider the act when agreeing to having animals on the school site. Other considerations such as Risk Assessments and Public Liability are acted on. It is true that most schools, including ours, have a general ‘no dogs’ policy, and with good reason.  Allowing pets on site that have not been correctly risk assessed or without a specific purpose can lead to difficulties, as access to them is not managed or controlled by the school, or indeed accountable to it.

Therapy animals are managed and are introduced to the school over a period of time, starting with short orientation visits ensuring that the dogs is comfortable with the environment. They become familiar with the setting and children and are given time to adjust.  Most importantly they are subject to a controlled risk assessment.  Their role is directly managed and overseen by a staff member whilst general pets are not.  It is key to remember that animals used as therapy or for other specific purpose are more than pets, they are in essence working animals with specific tasks.

What do I need to do now?

We are requesting consent from parents for their child to interact and work with Nancy. These will be sent out at the start of each academic year or when new children start at Lowerhouse Junior School.

We hope you will join us in welcoming Nancy to our Lowerhouse Junior School family and embrace all that she has to offer the school.