Introducing our Reading Dog Charlie and Wellbeing Dog Coco!

Charlie	Coco

We are delighted to inform you that we have registered for the Pets As Therapy Read 2 Dogs Scheme. We would like to introduce Charlie who is a trained Pets as Therapy dog that belongs to one of our pupil's grandparent Mrs King.

Charlie and Mrs King will be visiting Barnett Wood on Wednesday mornings.  Pets as Therapy dogs are specially registered dogs who normally visit in hospitals, hospices, care homes etc.  Charlie will be visiting in a room away from the classrooms and will remain on the lead and under control at all times.

The effects of Pets As Therapy dogs in schools has shown a range of benefits including:

• Reducing stress physiologically (Cortisol levels) and increase attachment responses that trigger Oxytocin - a hormone that increases trust in humans.
• Increase in school attendance.
• Gains in confidence.
• Decreases in learner anxiety behaviours resulting in improved learning outcomes, such as increases in reading and writing levels.
• Positive changes towards learning and improved motivation.
• Enhanced relationships with peers and teachers.
• Teaching empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills.
• Development of social skills.

In addition to Charlie's visits, another special dog Coco also spends time in school as a 'wellbeing' dog. Coco is Mrs Gibbard’s dog and has been in the family since she was 10 weeks old. She is now 7 years old, and being a cockapoo, has a friendly, accepting and gentle nature and lots of energy! Her breed are known for non-shedding and are hypoallergenic. Coco has been having trial visits to school and will be visiting once a week, usually on a Friday.

Important information:

• Charlie and Coco will always be with their owners.
• Charlie and Coco will always be on a lead.
• Charlie and Coco will work in a quiet space.
• Children will be accompanied by a member of school staff.
• Children will spend generally spend between 10 and 15 minutes with the dogs.
• Staff will ensure that children understand what Charlie and Coco like, and help them to behave accordingly.  
• Children will be able to stroke Charlie and Coco and reward them with a treat, but will clean their hands afterwards.
• Parent consent will always be sought before children work with Charlie or Coco. 

Please see our Dogs at School Policy and Risk Assessment below for more information.

We hope lots of pupils will be able to benefit from visits from our four-legged friends!

More information can be found below although if you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 01372 272701.

Potential Concerns:

Allergies

We are aware that there is a possibility of some children and adults having an allergic reaction however small to either of the dogs. As a school we already manage a number of allergies and this will be no different for children and adults that are allergic to dogs. Individual needs will always be met and we are happy to work with parents to put additional control measures in place for individual allergies.

Being scared of dogs

Some children may have had upsetting experiences and thus have a fear of dogs (or another animal). Charlie and Coco will only be in contact with children whose parents have given their permission.

Both dogs have been brought up in homes with children and have a very loving and gentle nature. Experience and research have shown that, with proper guidance and handling, children can learn to overcome their fear of animals and grow in respect and appreciation for them.

No dog policy

Our school does have a ‘no dogs’ policy, however because Charlie and Coco are our reading and wellbeing dogs, specific rules will apply to them.

They will be on a lead at all times when moving around the school property and will always be accompanied by an adult. Both dogs will also be fully insured to carry out their roles thus allowing him to be on the school site.

We understand that it is not possible for all families to have a dog and therefore we hope that this is an opportunity for children to share in a dog and gain from forming a relationship and contact on a regular basis. We hope you will join us in welcoming Charlie and Coco to the Barnett Wood family and embrace all that they have to offer the school.