Hello,

My name is Ivy and I am the Harefield Primary School Dog Mentor.  I am a 7 year old Miniature King Schnauzer and live with Mrs Millard and her family.  I am new to the school but have passed my Dog Mentor Programme assessment with flying colours. Mrs Millard has received training to be my handler in school.  My role as school dog will be challenging and varied, but I feel that I am more than up to the task.  I love being around people and making them happy. Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of dogs in schools and evidence indicates that areas of potential benefits include:

• Cognitive development – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving, game-playing and can improve reading skills.
• Emotional development – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety.
• Physical development – interaction with a pet reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses.
• Environmental benefits – a dog in a school contributes towards the creation of home style environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over.
• Social benefits – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing, developing social skills and focused interaction with others.

But what will my role as dog mentor at Harefield Primary School entail during school hours?

I will have an interesting and ever-changing job. At the moment I am learning how to greet people and where and when I can play. I am spending a lot of time in Mrs Millard’s office and with Mrs Millard whilst I am introduced to school life slowly. Over time, I will work as a Dog Mentor and will follow planned sessions with individual children or small groups of children as needed.  I am also very excited about hearing children read.  I will also join classes for a lesson or two if it will enrich the experience in some way.

If you have any further questions regarding my role within the school please contact the school office.

Please see the link to The Dog Mentor website

https://www.thedogmentor.co.uk/about

Dog Mentor Monitor jobs

We received 172 applications from pupils to work with Ivy and are pleased to announce that all pupils who applied, who also show our ASK values, will work with Ivy between now and the end of the summer term. We were overwhelmed with the amount of applications we received and the commitment the pupils already have to making sure Ivy has the best care, when in school. Our Dog Mentor Monitors will be grooming Ivy, feeding her, making sure she has enough water, preparing her treats, taking her on walks and teaching her new commands, as well as washing up her bowls! Through these jobs, pupils will understand and experience responsibility, caring for others, time-keeping and commitment.