Why have a school dog?
Why Have a School Dog:
There is a growing amount of research that supports the idea that a carefully planned school dog programme can bring benefits to many learners. These benefits can include:
- Emotional Support: School dogs can help reduce anxiety and stress among children (and teachers and parents!), providing a calming presence by providing emotional support and comfort. Stroking an animal can decrease levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress, in humans. Dogs bring a comforting presence and unconditional acceptance, making students feel safe and secure.
- Improved Learning Environment: Dogs can motivate reluctant readers and improve focus during lessons. For example, children often feel more comfortable practicing reading skills with a non-judgmental audience like a dog, and may better regulate their behaviour in the presence of a dog.
- Encouragement of Positive Social Behaviour: Interacting with dogs can promote communication skills, empathy, compassion, and responsibility in children, fostering positive peer interactions. Dogs provide companionship and offer positive social interactions between individuals who struggle to find friends in traditional classroom settings
- Mental Wellbeing: Dogs can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and support overall mental and emotional wellness in both children and staff.
- Increased confidence: Dogs can help some children build confidence in themselves and their academic/ social abilities
- Physical Benefits: Dogs encourage physical activity, which can have a positive effect on children’s overall well-being, from regular walks to simple interactions that keep both children and dogs active and engaged.
Find out more – five minute reads
Here are some five minute reads to provide more about the potential benefits of a school dog:
Gallard, D. (2019) Dogs in the classroom.
https://theconversation.com/dogs-in-the-classroom-coming-to-a-school-near-you-soon-114392
Lewis, H. (2021) How school pets can help children to learn and read.
https://theconversation.com/how-school-pets-can-help-children-to-learn-and-read-160064
Lewis, H., Grigg, R. (2021) Pedagogical principles for animal assisted interventions.
https://early-education.org.uk/guest-blog-pedagogical-principles-for-successful-animal-assisted-interactions-in-the-early-years/
Find out more – listen
If you have a little more time, why not listen to Helen’s podcast about the involvement of animals in schools on the Voices of Early Childhood website.
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/animals-in-education-settings/