Welcome to the latest R.I.S.E. Pets’ Corner, our editor’s favourite feature each and every issue! We hope you enjoy the cute wellbeing boost from these furry animal friends.
Buster
Buster is a 13-year-old cuddle monster, who likes a lot of attention. He always seems to be there when I am feeling upset or stressed. Buster is a very large cat with an equally large meow. He is happy to be stroked by anyone, even plonking himself on the laps of people who claim not to like cats! He makes my house a home.
Buster
Gus
Gus
Gus has already had an incredibly positive impact on the children and the staff at Woodlands. He is loved by everybody! He has brought the school together by all being engaged in projects about him. It gives us all a sense of pride. The children and staff talk about Gus to their friends and families. We are proud of our school and proud of Gus.
Betsy, Treacle, Willow and Elsie
The dogs have been instrumental in several ways. In one school, it helped a selective mute start to talk in the school setting. They have been used to support bereavements and with some children who have complex needs, to reduce the number of anger outbursts or de-escalate potentially tricky behaviours. The dogs have also helped individuals with improving their attendance, reading and phonics.
Betsy
Willow
Treacle
Elsie
Trixie
Trixie
The children are always excited to see Trixie, she is so gentle and calm and they love to read to her. It’s a really special treat to hold her lead and walk her to her reading nook.
Submitted by Karen Court – Chalfont St Giles Village School
Moose
Moose started with our provision at 8 weeks old and is now 8 months. He has been such a wellbeing boost for staff and students. If students are off-site, the behaviour team will go to see them with Moose; if a student is upset, they can take Moose for a walk, and he is also used in reading interventions. Just 10 minutes with an animal drops your cortisol levels and reduces stress, thus enabling better learning and retention.
Moose
Basil, Waffle, Ferdi, Muffin, Flash and Calloway
I’ve always maintained my pooches have a huge and positive impact on my wellbeing and are a great distraction from work… or it could just be that they always agree with me. Ferdi loves to come into the office and spread some love to anyone who’s willing to exchange for a treat. Tortoises Flash and Calloway slowly keep the garden trimmed and epitomise taking life at a more relaxed pace, and finally, good old (20 years old, to be precise) Muffin is my daughter’s cat. We have a very fragile agreement of keeping our distance, but it works.
Basil
Ferdi
Waffle
Flash and Calloway
Pippa
Pippa
We introduced Pippa, our cockapoo, to school life when she was 12 weeks old. From the minute she arrived, she was an integral part of our school. The impact of having a school dog has been incredible. Teachers also use Pip in the curriculum: senses lessons involve hiding treats and watching Pippa try to sniff them out, forest school is enhanced by a doggy visitor, and poems are read and written about her!
Hugo
Piper
Rabbit 2
Henry
Rabbit
Chickens
Hugo, Henry, Piper and the rabbits and chickens
At Boothroyd Primary Academy, we believe having a range of therapeutic animals on site not only supports the pupils to learn life skills by teaching them how to care and look after each one, but also enables our children to develop oracy skills by reading to and interacting with the animals regularly. Having animals has resulted in a positive impact on the whole school community’s wellbeing, including staff and parents.
Submitted by Kerry Williams-Kendall – Boothroyd Primary Academy
Eddie
Ruby
Eddie and Ruby
We love welcoming Ruby, our reading dog, and Eddie, our wellbeing dog, to Dogsthorpe Infants! Having the dogs in school has impacted on everyone’s wellbeing. The children are always asking about Eddie, and he loves to show off his tricks to them. Children adore reading to Ruby and having this
opportunity has developed their self-confidence. Eddie brings a smile to everyone’s face. They are important members of the staff team.
Sid Barnett
Sid Barnett
I’ve run SEMH units within schools, where the most vulnerable children have snuggled with Sid and cried on him. I’ve had countless children fall asleep in my office, curled up on the sofa with him. Dogs rock. They are always pleased to see you and, when you are feeling at your most vulnerable, they truly care. They also listen but don’t judge. Sid’s been featured in local newspapers and even had a double page spread!
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