Dog Interaction Consent - Hugo and Ralph
Hugo and Ralph are two Maltese/Lasa Apso crossbreed dogs owned and cared for by Miss Bjorck. They are very hypoallergenic, gentle, exceptionally friendly and love spending time with people. Hugo and Ralph are very loving and (mostly!) well behaved; we believe that they have become real assets to our school. The spend most of the day in the School offices however they do like to sit with children in the library as they read or sit with children who are feeling upset or unwell.
There are many benefits to having school dogs and we believe it has a positive impact on various aspects of school life. Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools. Therapy dogs have been working in schools across the UK for many years and are becoming increasingly more common as a result of the broad-ranging benefits achieved.
Dogs teach children responsibility, develop care, consideration and empathy. They teach children compassion, socialisation, promote children’s enjoyment at being in school, wellbeing, increase confidence, enjoyment and progress when reading. Research has shown the benefits of children reading aloud to dogs: reduced anxiety, increased fluency and improved confidence. Last, but certainly not least, dogs are a lot of fun. They greet you with a wagging tail every day and can cheer you up even on your worst day.
Guidelines to interaction with the School Dogs:
Once interaction permission has been given no child shall be forced to interact with the school dogs if this makes them feel unhappy in anyway.
At all times interaction with the school dogs must be controlled and safe for adults, children and the school dogs themselves.
If the guidelines are not followed interaction with the school dogs will be stopped immediately. At all times of interaction, there must be an authorised adult who takes the leading role when interacting with the school dogs.
The following guidelines must be followed when interacting with the school dogs. These guidelines apply to all adults and children.
There are many benefits to having school dogs and we believe it has a positive impact on various aspects of school life. Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools. Therapy dogs have been working in schools across the UK for many years and are becoming increasingly more common as a result of the broad-ranging benefits achieved.
Dogs teach children responsibility, develop care, consideration and empathy. They teach children compassion, socialisation, promote children’s enjoyment at being in school, wellbeing, increase confidence, enjoyment and progress when reading. Research has shown the benefits of children reading aloud to dogs: reduced anxiety, increased fluency and improved confidence. Last, but certainly not least, dogs are a lot of fun. They greet you with a wagging tail every day and can cheer you up even on your worst day.
Guidelines to interaction with the School Dogs:
Once interaction permission has been given no child shall be forced to interact with the school dogs if this makes them feel unhappy in anyway.
At all times interaction with the school dogs must be controlled and safe for adults, children and the school dogs themselves.
If the guidelines are not followed interaction with the school dogs will be stopped immediately. At all times of interaction, there must be an authorised adult who takes the leading role when interacting with the school dogs.
The following guidelines must be followed when interacting with the school dogs. These guidelines apply to all adults and children.
- Never enter the school dog’s room without an authorised adult.
- If the door/baby gate to the school dog’s room is shut, make sure you knock and wait for the authorised adult to let you in. Never let yourself in as the school dogs might not be ready.
- There must be an authorised adult present during all interactions.
- Always approach the school dogs calmly (voice and movement).
- Always approach the school dogs slowly.
- Never run up to the school dogs.
- To start an interaction, the back of a hand will be offered for the school dogs to sniff.
- Keep noise levels low during interaction with the school dogs.
- Only the authorised adult can move any of the school dog’s resources, including food and treats.
- Only the supervising adult can participate in the school dogs toileting needs.
- No visiting adult or child will give them any food/treats.
- There must not be any interaction with the school dogs whilst they are eating.
- After all interactions with the school dogs, hands must be washed with soap and water/ hand gel.