Our school Dog - Luna
Luna is our amazing wellbeing dog, who is working in our school as part of an on-going provision for wellbeing and mental health. Luna lives with Mr Butterworth, Mrs Butterworth and Fred and comes into school every day to be alongside the children. Luna is based in the School Office with Mrs Butterworth or the Head Teacher's Office with Mr McIver and visits the children regularly throughout the day.
Luna is a Labradoodle/Weimaraner crossbreed born in 2016. Luna is a hypo-allergenic breed which means she does not shed hair (making her an ideal friend for anyone with a pet hair allergy). Luna herself is on a special diet of hypo-allergenic food meaning as much as she loves treats her treats have to be natural. (Her favorite treats are carrot, peppers and cheese! which Mr McIver prepares for her when she is in.)
Luna started coming into school during the 2019-2020 school year. She can be found doing her rounds between classrooms, on the school playground or on the school gates at the start and end of the day. Interaction with Luna is completely optional, she will not be taken into a classroom unless all children are happy for her to enter. When Luna is in class there will be a sign on the door alerting anyone who want's to enter that Luna will be in there.
Dogs in school offer an opportunity for improving social development. They are especially useful for teaching students social skills and responsibility. Specifically, schools are using dogs to help students build self-esteem; learn about positive and negative reinforcement, responsibility, and boundaries. pupils use dogs to help communicate, teach kindness, and empowerment. With a dog in school, students have the opportunity to learn how to care for the animal. This includes walking and grooming. Researchers report that involving students in the daily care of classroom dogs is a positive experience, promoting their own daily care. The students also learn about responsibility, caring, and sharing when helping each other take care of a dog at school.
Questions:
How will this be managed where children have allergies?
Children will not need to touch Luna, which will relieve the possibility of allergic reactions. We already manage a number of allergies at school 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. The breed of dog is known for minimal molting, Luna is given a high quality food and regularly groomed to reduce any possibility of allergens.
My child is frightened of dogs; how will you manage this?
Access to Luna is carefully managed and supervised and children do not need to have close contact with her unless permission for this has been given. We hope to work closely with parents of children who are fearful of dogs to alleviate their fear and to teach them how to manage this.
How will the dog be toileted to ensure hygiene for all?
In the interest of health and hygiene Luna will be toileted when taken out for short walks in the grounds. Only staff members will clear this away appropriately leaving no trace on the ground, cleaning the area with disinfectant if needed. Our policy of no dogs in the playground is still applicable as we are unable to put effective control measures in place that guarantee temperament and safety when children come into unsupervised contact with unknown dogs.
How will the dog’s welfare be considered?
Luna will be walked regularly and given free time outside. Parents will be able to give permission in advance to allow their child to be able to walk with a member of staff and Luna during that time. Luna will be kept in the office with Mrs Butterworth or the Headteachers office with Mr McIver and will only have planned and supervised contact with children and visitors. Luna will be carefully trained over a period of time and will have unlimited access to food and water. We will work carefully to ensure Luna’s welfare is always considered.
