Our School Dogs
About Pets as Therapy
Pets as Therapy says, “PAT Dogs provide comfort, encourage positive social behaviours, enhance self-esteem, motivate speech and inspire young people to have fun.”
There are many benefits to having a Therapy dog in school; these include:
- Emotional – seeing our dogs will improve self-esteem and encourage smiling and laughter.
- Physical – interaction with our dogs can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, as they can be a calming influence during times of high anxiety.
- Social – seeing our dogs can provide a positive, mutual topic for discussion, promote greater self-esteem and well-being, and encourage social communication and interaction.
- Learning – our dogs will eventually be able to listen to pupils reading; they will be able to count with her and tell her all about the learning they are doing in class.
Introducing Nellie
Nellie is an American Bulldog that belongs to Mr Lee. She was born on 24th October 2019. Nellie has completed all her Dog Therapy training and is a fully accredited Therapy Dog. She visits MDC and is really loved by the staff and pupils.
Introducing Finn
Finn is a Bernese Mountain Dog that belongs to Miss Knight. He was born on 4th September 2025. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their gentle, calm temperament, which is why he is in training to be a school therapy dog. He has already completed his ‘Good Citizen’ puppy training award and is now working towards his bronze Kennel Club award. He visits school (CRC) each week, and the children love visiting him and helping him work on his skills.
You might be thinking …
What if my child is allergic to dogs?
Understandably, families and carers may have concerns about potential allergic reactions to school dogs. To minimise the risk, the dogs will remain within the designated office area and will not have unrestricted access to the wider school environment.
Pupils will never be required to interact with the dogs and may choose whether to do so. Children who do interact with the dogs will be reminded and supported to wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
Families and carers are asked to inform the school if their child has a known allergy to dogs, so that appropriate measures can be put in place to support their child’s health and wellbeing.
Our dogs are groomed daily before they go to school, and they are also professionally bathed and groomed regularly.
What if my child is scared of dogs?
We totally understand that some children may be scared of dogs (or other animals). The dogs will only meet children for whom we have permission. Our dogs are currently undergoing behaviour training. They will not be allowed to jump up at pupils or run after them. We will work with families and carers to see if small exposure to them may help a child overcome their fear. We will teach all children to always ask an owner before petting a dog, and ours is no exception (this teaches skills for when children meet dogs outside of school and also supports social communication and interaction within school).
What about the dog’s toileting?
Our dogs have a well-established toilet routine. Their owners walk them before school, and they know their routine well enough to be confident they will not ask to go to the toilet during the day. If, on an incredibly rare occasion, they have a toileting accident at school, it will be addressed immediately, and the area will be disinfected. The staff member will consider why this happened and put in place steps to prevent it from happening again.
Who is covering the costs of the dog?
Our dogs are 100% owned by their staff owners. All costs for the dogs (food, vet’s fees, Insurance, Pets As Therapy fees) are covered by them as their owner.
Will the school dog be at school every day?
No. The dogs will be at home on some days. This is important for them as dogs. The pupils will know when the dogs are in school from the school schedule.
I have some other questions …
Feel free to ring or email the school or pop in and meet the dogs yourself.