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Ziggy – School Therapy Dog
Our school dog is Ziggy, who usually lives with Miss Matthews, but will come to school too. Ziggy is a Labrador.
Children can benefit educationally and emotionally, increase their understanding of responsibility and develop empathy and nurturing skills, through contact with a suitable, calm dog.
In addition to these benefits, children take great enjoyment from interactions with animals. By having a school dog we want to encourage those children who are less enthusiastic about being at school to have something to look forward to.
Ziggy is well cared for and responsibly owned by Miss Matthews.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A School Dog?
Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of dogs in schools. Dogs have been working in schools for over 5 years across the UK with several integrated very successfully in local Enfield schools, including six other Ivy Trust schools. Dogs have been commonplace in schools in other countries for many years.
Evidence indicates that benefits include:
Cognitive – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game-playing. Reading to a dog can be very beneficial as dogs give unconditional acceptance and are non-judgmental. Dogs make amazing listeners.
Social – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others. Attendance for some pupils has improved because of a school dog.
Emotional – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach empathy, compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety. This has been known to reduce the percentage of violent or aggressive behaviour in school.
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.
All costs associated with Ziggy will be covered by Miss Matthews. Having a school dog will therefore be no additional cost to The Radstone Primary School.
Ziggy is a Labrador, chosen for his mild temperament and friendliness.
Some Concerns You Might Have
Our school does have a ‘no dogs’ policy – however Ziggy will be the school dog and will be in school for a specific purpose. He will be on a lead at all times when moving around the school property and will always be accompanied by an adult. Ziggy will also be fully insured to carry out his role thus allowing him to be on the school site.
We still will not be allowing other dogs onto the school site at any time as their temperament etc. is unknown to us. So the ‘no dogs’ policy still applies to other dogs.
Some children may have had upsetting experiences and thus have a fear of dogs (or another animal). Ziggy is calm and gentle around children; he 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.
For more information about this then please contact either Miss Matthews or Miss Jeffery.