Our School Dog
Rosie the School Dog
Meet Rosie, our school dog. Rosie is cocker spaniel / poodle mix (cockapoo). Although she hasn't inherited the same "teddy-bear" look as her siblings, she is growing into a terrific dog. Rosie loves people, especially when they come to give her a fuss. Her favourite game is fetch, she enjoys spending time with anyone who will throw a ball for her.
Rosie is currently "In Training" as she is still just a puppy. She is working through the Kennel Club Good Citizen Award scheme and is already making excellent progress having recently completed the Puppy Foundation award. In Autumn 2025, Rosie will begin working on achieving the Bronze level award.
Research has shown that having a dog in school can provide a number of benefits for children. Therapy dogs have been working in schools for a number of years across the UK. However, they have been commonplace in schools in the USA and Australia for many years
Evidence indicates that benefits 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 mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety. (nih.gov)
• 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
• Reading – Reading to dogs helps children develop their reading skills, encourages positive behaviour and helps build confidence and self esteem, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on children as well as the fact that a dog will listen to children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud Reading to dogs inspires children to have fun and enjoy the experience of reading. (Bark and Read | Charity work | The Kennel Club)
• SEN - “Therapy Dogs Nationwide dogs have also shown to help with special needs and autistic children and adults by giving focus and providing a calming environment.” Therapy Dogs Nationwide (Schools - THERAPY DOGS NATIONWIDE (tdn.org.uk)
