Paws For Support work in a variety of education settings including Pre Schools/Nurseries, Primary and Secondary schools, colleges and Sixth Form; We offer a variety of packages including informal meet and greets, education on staying safe around dogs, our popular 'Reading To Dogs ' Scheme, group sessions and 1-to-1 bespoke work with students addressing a variety of sometimes complex needs. It is possible through direct liaising with individual schools, to offer small group dog phobia sessions to ensure the visit of a therapy dog on the premises of each school is well managed and students are able to engage with the experience.
The dogs are thoroughly trained to Level 2 qualification standard and are reassessed every 2 years to ensure their suitability for the job. Full policies and risk assessments are in place and regularly updated as well as annual assemblies and staff meetings which take place in each setting we visit.
All our visits can be tailored to the needs of the school as well as the students that we visit. This can range from introductory basic needs of an animal right through to developing greater understanding of their own complex emotional needs and wellbeing. Below outlines some of the opportunities we offer ranging from Pre School right through Primary to Sixth Form.
We teach staying safe around dogs, always asking before greeting, washing hands and basic understanding of body language e.g. how to respond to a growl etc, that not all dogs are the same. Just like humans; we are all different and that just because the dogs may behave differently it is about understanding those differences and behaving accordingly. They have opportunities to groom the dog and learn the dogs basic needs
Our 'Reading To Dogs' scheme began in 2019 and has been well adopted throughout the islands schools. This scheme allows children to improve their literacy skills - especially reading within school. The ALNCo discusses with class teachers the students they believe will benefit from these sessions and selects a cohert each half term. The sessions for each student last approximately 10 minutes each week and the child receive a stamp on their personalised stamp card each week for their reading. At the end of the half term after receiving all their stamps, the child receives a reward/token for their reading time. These sessions now only allow for progress in reading but build general confidence by reading aloud to the dogs and talking to the handler; someone who can become a trusted adult who is not family or a teacher. Sometimes these relationships can become a very positive and powerful. The children learn that the dogs are non judgemental and will enjoy being talked to no matter their reading ability. Reading out loud also improves intonation and fluency as well as many other elements of reading skills that get lost when reading silently. Children are always reminded to remain calm and quiet around the dogs and very quickly a safe environment is created for the student and the dog to enjoy their time together. Within these sessions students have opportunities to stroke the dogs which also promotes calmness and lowers anxiety. Releasing the feel good hormones also improves a students focus, motivation and general mood prior to returning to the classroom.
Staff also benefit from and enjoy the opportunity to see the dogs before or after they have completed the session each week. Our bespoke group sessions help children with many life skills such as patience, turn taking, being kind, team work and problem solving and builds friendships along with confidence. We are able to tackle issues surrounding confusing emotions and any complex issues for the young people they are facing. Having the dogs allow children to open up and talk freely without judgement and can have positive impacts on academic engagement and all round wellbeing.
We can be visible during break times or lunch times offering the students a temporary release from pressures of learning with a longer term benefit when they return to their lessons. We can also be available in break out spaces for students who are finding learning in the classroom amongst others more difficult. The students feel more confident and more likely to persevere, creating resilience, positivity and higher self esteem which is especially important for teenagers and going into exams.
All of the offerings we have can be tailored to suit the needs of the school and can alter as the journey with the charity progresses. Direct communication with the ALNCo and the ELSA have proven extremely beneficial and can enhance the experiences even more. All of the dogs and their handlers are volunteers who dedicate their time and willingness to help the young people they encounter. This opoportunity is hugely rewarding for all parties and although the direct impact is hard to measure and quantify there is no doubt of the increased general well being of the children after spending time with a therapy dog during their school day. Often the schools are hugely appreciative and will use some of their fundraisers money to support the charity to enable it to reach more of our islands community.
School | Dog in school |
|---|---|
Castel Primary | Uno & Mr Darcey |
Vale Primary | Uno & Reggie |
St Mary & St Michael | Basil & Dotty |
La Mare De Carteret Primary | Minnie & Teddy |
College of FE | Beau |
Le Hougette | Henry |
Sark School | Riley, Kito, Nyx & Remy |
Amherst Primary | Loki & Ralphie |
Les Varendes | Tilly & Rocky |
Elizabeth College | Willow |
Notre Dame du Rosaire | Dotty |
Ladies College | Indy |
Vauvert | Luna |
Les Beaucamps High | Rocky |
Registered Office: Paws For Support, Willow Springs, Clos Des Goddard, Vazon, Castel, Guernsey GY57JD Registered Charity CH573
