Skip to content

Therapy Dogs

We have two therapy dogs on campus to support our students mental and social wellbeing.

“We have a student that has really struggled to get into class when the room was already full of students and so would have to wait outside. Yesterday – I took Mabel to meet her, we had a little time stroking Mabel and then we all walked upstairs together, we approached the room and I stated that Mabel is with us so she will get us in the room. We opened the door and even though the room was full of people – she walked straight in and sat down. She was able to stay for the rest of the morning. Then, this morning without Mabel she was able to get into the room again even though there were people already in the space. Amazing outcome for our little Mabel and the student!”

Jo Turner

 

The purpose of therapy dogs

The purpose of having therapy dogs on campus is to provide comfort and support to students at all levels of their education journey.

The dogs are trained to interact with a variety of people with a variety of needs. This includes their handlers and staff members.

Having therapy dogs in schools and colleges has been proven to reduce anxiety in students and improve mental and social wellbeing.

Mabel is 14 weeks and is currently settling into the college to take on her new role as a therapy dog.

A team of handlers have been identified and trained in caring for Mabel as she goes about her duties in college and this week, she has started going out into curriculum areas on a reduced timetable with her handlers.

 

We will have two therapy dogs at the college

Later this year Mabel will be joined by Ozzy, our second therapy dog. This will be on a  broader timetable, at which point she will be undertaking her basic puppy training before she moves on to complete her therapy dog training.

I’m sure you’ll all agree that implementing a therapy dog scheme is a great achievement for the college and will be of tremendous benefit to our college community.