School Support Animals
We’ve had such a great start to this term back with our lovely schools for your school photos. And we have met not only all of our lovely staff and students but some of our schools’ amazing support animals too! This made us want to find out more –
The importance of support animals in schools
In recent years the presence of support animals in schools has gained recognition and many schools are introducing support dogs to provide comfort, companionship and a calming environment in which to learn. Every school ‘needs dog as stress-buster’
What are the benefits of a school support animal?
- Emotional Support and Mental Health
Support animals can offer comfort and companionship to students, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and anxiety. The simple act of petting a dog or spending time with a support animal can reduce stress levels and create a calming environment for learning.
- Enhancing Focus and Learning
Having a support animal in a classroom can create a more relaxed atmosphere and, for some children, reading aloud to a support animal can offer a calming and non-judgemental setting to help develop their confidence. Therapy Dogs
- Encouraging Responsibility and Empathy
Having a support animal in school can also provide an opportunity for students to learn valuable life skills. Caring for a support animal helps develop a sense of responsibility and encourages nurturing behaviours.
How do you introduce a support animal?
Selecting the right support animal and ensuring the necessary training and risk assessments for the support animal to be introduced to school is vital Pets in Schools
There are a number of visiting pet schemes that you can work with to begin to introduce a school support animal
Support animals come in all shapes and sizes!
And its not just dogs! – one of our wonderful schools (Gartree High School) has introduced Billy the tortoise to school life and are benefitting from his ability to bring a calming sense to students when needed Therapy tortoise helps schoolchildren with stress
We would love to hear about your school support animals and to meet them next photo day Team Hardy xx
