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, it is just another risk that needs to be managed, 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 statement.

School statement for named dog: Bracken

The governors have the right to refuse entry to the dog.
Bracken is owned by and lives with Mrs Clough, as such all veterinary care and necessary costs for caring for Bracken will be the responsibility of Mrs Clough.
Bracken is a Fox-Red Labrador, Labradors are typically seen as guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, and often used as service or therapy dogs. This is because; typically, Labradors have the suitable temperament and size for the job, Labradors are known for being extremely obedient and keen to please.
Staff, visitors and students 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.
The dog 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.
Bracken will be supervised by an appropriate adult at all times.
If the dog is ill, he will not be allowed into school. The responsibility of arranging care for the dog at home during these times will be Mrs Clough’s.
Students must never be left alone with the dog and there must be appropriate adult supervision at all times.
Students will be reminded of what is appropriate behaviour around the dog.
Students will not be allowed near the dog when he is sleeping, eating or in his crate (Bracken’s safe space).
Students must not be allowed to play roughly with the dog.
Students must not stroke his ears/face/head as this is unpleasant for Bracken.
Students will be reminded not to allow the dog to lick their faces.
Students will be reminded not to feed the dog food that is meant for human consumption.
Students will be reminded not to put their face near to the dog’s face.
Students 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 student or students immediately.
Students will be encouraged to remain calm around the dog. Failure to do so will impact on their access to the dog.
The dog will not be allowed to jump. Students will be reminded not to encourage the behaviour and will be given guidance on how to discourage the behaviour.
Skye (fox-red labrador) will still come into school on occasions with Mrs Clough. In the event that either Skye is in school without Bracken, or both dogs are present in school, this statement shall be read accordingly to refer to either or both dogs as appropriate.

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 Clough; 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 reputable breeder who is approved by the Kennel Club. Both parents for the dog were seen and identified to be in excellent condition. The breeders also did checks on the prospective dog owners to ensure that the dog would be looked after well.

Q. Will the dog be a distraction?

A. The dog will be kept in the office of Mrs Clough. The office is 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, in order to further support his socialisation

Q. Has a risk assessment been undertaken?

A. Yes, we have carefully considered having a dog in school and sought advice from many sources, including other schools, Pets as Therapy practitioners and a reputable dog trainer.

Q. Who is responsible for training?

A. Mrs Clough will be the legal owner of the dog and as a result will be responsible for its training. Appropriate professional training will be obtained and the dog will work towards being trained as a Therapy Dog. Additionally, the dog will work towards achieving the Bronze, Silver and Gold award of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme, through the On-Track Dog Training School. As part of their own development, students may have the opportunity to support Mrs Clough in training the dog, providing they have parental permission.

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 Mrs Clough’s office in a quiet area of the school, will be fed regularly and appropriately by Mrs Clough and will have access to his play den and bed. If the dog is eating or sleeping, students will not be allowed access to the dog. Students will be given strict verbal and written guidance around how to behave appropriately around the dog and the dog will have continued socialisation training to ensure he is anxiety-free in the school environment. All student and visitor contact with the dog will be planned and supervised.

In the event of the dog having medical needs, he will be kept at home and appropriate care arrangements will be made for him.

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

A. Students and staff will not have to touch the dog, the school will receive continued guidance and support from the Director of Care and Wellbeing and will look to receive support and advice from parents and carers to put additional control measures in place for individual allergies. This breed of dog is known to have two significant moulting periods during the year, as such during these times the dog will be cared for away from the school or additional measures will be put in place as appropriate. 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 permission for this has been given. We hope to work closely with parents of children who are fearful of dogs to alleviate their fear and to teach them how to manage this.

Appendix 1: Risk Assessment

Hazard	Risk	Risk level	Likelihood	Controls in place
The dog gets loose from his pen or from his lead	Child scratched or bitten by dog	Low	Low	The dog's pen will be kept in Mrs Clough's office and can be used to keep Bracken safe. He 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 his or taunt his through the window If Bracken does get loose the designated handler will call for support from the site manager to get the dog back on his lead. Bracken 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	Parents will be asked to inform the school of any known allergies prior to introduction of the dog to school and will have the opportunity to opt out of interactions with the dog Students and staff should always wash their hands after active participation with Bracken All areas that Bracken accesses will be cleaned on a daily basis.
Students 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 Bracken’s immunisations are kept up to date Flea treatment is carried out as appropriate by guidance of Bracken’s vet The dog will not be around students who have food or be permitted to access food preparation or staff and student eating areas
Dog getting over excited when interacting with children and staff	Injury	Low	Medium	Bracken will receive daily training from Mrs Clough and will access a reputable dog behaviourist on a weekly basis. As a priority this training will include being trained not to jump up or mouth the students In the school building the dog will always be on the lead The dogs 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	Students will be reminded of what is appropriate behaviour around dogs prior to every meeting with Bracken. If students are anxious or over-excited they will not interact with Bracken Students will not be allowed to go near Bracken 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 excitement.
School events	Aggression or boisterous behaviour 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 dog appears nervous.

School Dog Statement

Co-op Academy Southfield