Benefits of a School Dog

The benefits of a school dog cannot be underestimated and here's why. 

Poppy, our school dog has been part of the Coworth family since 2020. She’s a hypoallergenic Cavapoo and has lived with our Head, Miss Cowell since she was 11 weeks old. Poppy is great with the pupils and staff alike. The presence of Poppy is uplifting. 

Many pupils have stated that Poppy is what they love most about the school and that she calms them ahead of tests and makes them happy so she has definitely made a positive impact within the school so far.

The benefits of a school dog cannot be underestimated and here's why. 

• Emotional  

• Children can empathise with animals in a way that they can’t always with other humans and this develops their emotional well-being  

• Spending time with an animal improves self-esteem and lifts mood 

• Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety 

• Physical  

• Interaction with dogs reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, gives motivation to move and improves fitness and stimulates the senses 

• Improved behaviour and concentration 

• Reduced stress and improved self-esteem 

• Increase levels of dopamine and serotonin 

• Social 

• A dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion 

• Encourages responsibility 

• Improves wellbeing and boosts interaction with others 

• Supports the development of cooperative play  

• Teaches children to nurture and respect life 

• Academic  

• Companionship with a dog stimulates memory & problem-solving  

• School dogs have been proven to improve attendance 

• Motivating pupils to think and to learn, as most children have a high level of natural interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of animals 

• Reading to dogs has been proven to help children 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. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.