We strongly believe that the well-being of our pupils is equally as important as their education and that it is very important to provide our young people with a range of therapeutic sources to support their development and progress.

We believe there is significant potential for dogs to help young people in a range of educational environments, bringing benefits to their academic, emotional and social development. These benefits can include but are not exclusive to:

Emotional

Evidence suggests a school dog can potentially improve self-esteem, acceptance from others and lift mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety. Students can identify with animals and have empathy with the dog, and so they may better understand how classmates may feel.

Cognitive

Companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game-playing. Dogs have also been used successfully in reading programmes, as students develop literacy skills and build confidence 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. Dogs give unconditional acceptance, which is especially crucial to struggling and reluctant readers. Research also suggests that students who read to dogs show an increase in reading levels, word recognition, a higher desire to read and write, and an increase in intra and interpersonal skills among the students they mix with.

Social

A dog can provide a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others. Working with dogs can help students to learn about negative and positive reinforcement, about body language and social cues and boundaries.

Students could potentially have the opportunity to learn how to care for the dog, including walking and grooming. Research suggests that involving students in the daily care of classroom dogs is a positive experience, promoting their own daily care.

Physical and Sensory

Interaction with a dog potentially helps reduce blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses

Is there a risk in bringing a dog into a school environment?

There are a variety of accidents that can occur within a school environment on a daily basis and these far exceed the number of injuries or incidents caused by a dog. Therefore, as with any risk, a thorough risk assessment has been carried out and this is included in this document (Appendix 1)

Additionally, there is also the risk of compromised welfare of the dog: the school environment can be a very busy, noisy and unpredictable place; studies suggest that environmental and social stress leads to increased irritability in dogs, increasing the risk of an injury and incident. Therefore, the physical and emotional welfare of the dog will be of the highest priority, as demonstrated in this policy.

School Policy for named dog: Jet

• Jet is owned by and lives with Mrs Wierzbianski and as such all veterinary care and necessary costs for caring for Jet will be the responsibility of Mrs Wierzbianski.

• Jet is a 3 year old Cockapoo. He lives in a home with two adults and a child. He and Mrs Wierzbianski hold Puppy 1 Certificate with the Tailwagger Club. He is a hypo-allergenic breed.

• Staff, visitors and pupils known to have allergic reactions to dogs must not go near the dog. All visitors will be informed on arrival that there is a dog in school. The dog will be restricted to very specific areas within the school building.

• Jet will be kept on a lead when moving through the school building or on a walk and will be under the full control and supervision of a trained adult.

• Jet will be supervised by an appropriate adult at all times.

• If Jet is ill he will not come to school.

• Pupils will be reminded of what is appropriate behaviour around a dog.

• Pupils will not be allowed near the dog when he is sleeping, eating or in his crate.

• Pupils must not be allowed to play roughly with the dog.

• Pupils will be reminded not to feed the dog food that is meant for human consumption.

• Pupils will be reminded not to put their face near to the dog.

• Pupils will be reminded to wash their hands after playing with the dog and/or handling him.

• Growling is a very important behaviour used by a domestic dog to signify that he feels threatened. If the dog growls at any time, the dog will be separated from the pupil or pupils immediately.

• Pupils will be encouraged to remain calm around the dog. Failure to do so will impact on their access to the dog.

School Dog Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is the legal owner of the dog and who pays for its costs?

A. The legal owner of the dog will be Mrs Wierzbianski and she will bear the costs associated with owning the dog.

Q. Is the dog from a reputable breeder?

A. Yes. The dog is from a home where both parents were seen and chosen on the basis of the typical temperament of the breed and his parents. Jet is not Kennel Club registered as they do not register crossbreeds such as a Cockapoo.

Q. Will the dogs be a distraction?

A. The dog will be kept in the offices of Mrs Wierzbianski or Mrs Townend/Mrs Deny. The offices are separate from the classrooms and main corridors to ensure it only comes into contact with children who are happy to have contact and parental permission for this, under strict supervision. Staff will also have the opportunity to meet the dog.

Q. Has a risk assessment been undertaken?

A. Yes.

Q. Who is responsible for training?

A. Mrs Wierzbianski will be the legal owner of the dog and as a result will be responsible for him being trained.

Q. How will the dog be toileted to ensure hygiene for all?

A. In the interest of hygiene, the dog will be toileted in specific outdoor areas away from the classrooms and students. Only staff members will clear this away appropriately leaving no trace on the ground, cleaning the area with disinfectant if needed.

Q. How will the dog’s welfare be considered?

A. The dog will be exercised appropriately at home before and/or after school. The dog will be kept in an office in a quiet area of the school, will be fed regularly and appropriately by Mrs Wierzbianski and will have access to a crate and/or bed. If the dog is eating or sleeping, pupils will not be allowed access to the dog. Pupils will be given strict verbal and written guidance around how to behave appropriately around the dog. All pupil and visitor contact with the dog will be planned and supervised.

Q. How will this be managed where pupils or staff have allergies

A. Pupils and staff will not have to touch the dog. The dog has a high-quality diet and is regularly groomed to reduce any possibility of allergens.

Q. My child is frightened of dogs; how will you manage this?

A. Access to the dog is carefully managed and supervised and children do not need to have close contact with it unless they wish to.

Appendix 1- Risk Assessment

Hazard	Risk	Risk Level	Likelihood	Controls in place
The dog gets loose from his crate or from their lead	Child scratched or bitten by dog	Low	Low	The dog crate will be kept in Mrs Wierzbianski or Mrs Townend/Mrs Denby’s office and can be used to keep Jet safe. They will also roam free in the office. Staff will be alerted with signage and pupils only allowed in with supervision. Children and staff are taught not to tease him or taunt them through the windows. If Jet does get loose the designated handler will call for support from the site manager to get the dog back on his lead. Jet will always be on his lead when out of the office or when trained adults are in strict supervision.
Dog hair causing allergens	Children have allergic reactions	Low	Low	Pupils and staff should always wash their hands after active participation with Jet. All areas that Jet accesses will be cleaned on a daily basis.
Pupils getting germs from the dog	Children/staff will contract diseases that can be carried by dogs	Low	Low	Should the dog defecate on the school site a member of staff will clear this up immediately and dispose of it in a safe manner. All of Jet’s immunisations are kept up to date. Flea and worm treatment is carried out as appropriate by guidance of Jet’s vet. The dog will not be around pupils who have food or be permitted to access food preparation or staff and pupil eating areas.
Dog getting over excited when interacting with children and staff	Injury	Low	Low	In the school building the dog will always be on the lead. The dog will attend the vets’ regularly to make sure his claws are kept short and that he is in good health.
Biting / aggression	Severe injury	Medium	Low	Pupils will be reminded of what is appropriate behaviour around dogs prior to every meeting with Jet. Pupils will not be allowed to go near Jet when he is sleeping or eating. The dog owner is to ensure that the dog does not become agitated or aggressive by the actions of anyone in the school. Avoiding any students which are likely to do this The dog will have his feeding, toileting and exercise needs met appropriately to alleviate any potential distress.
School events	Aggression if overwhelmed	Low	Low	The dog will only attend school events if they are appropriate and he will be under the control of a supervising adult The dog’s reaction and body language will be closely monitored and the dog will be removed if the dog appears nervous.