Meet Ted our Dog Mentor and a very important part of our school family!
Ted the Dog Mentor
Who am I?
My name is Ted and I am the Christ Church Primary School Dog Mentor. I am a twelve-year-old Cocker Spaniel and live I with Mrs Tweddle and her family. I am a very happy and sociable dog and my kind and gentle nature, means I enjoy being around people and children
I became a member of our school family in September 2021 when I passed my Dog Mentor Programme assessment with flying colours!! Mrs Tweddle and Mrs McNally have both received training to be my handlers in school. When I am in school, I am always on a lead as I move around the school building and I am always be accompanied by an adult.
What is a Dog Mentor?
Children’s relationship to animals can play an important role in their lives. Children frequently draw animals, talk about animals and even dream about animals. Studies have found that children with companion animals have higher self-esteem, greater empathy, more engagement with peers and other prosocial behaviour. Research on child-animal bonds has shown that it promotes healthy connections in the brain and helps to strengthen intellectual, physical, emotional and creative processes. The Dog Mentor programme has built upon the benefits of the human-animal bond by providing children positive experiences with dogs that can help them educationally, developmentally, emotionally and socially. Over the past nine years The Dog Mentor programme has been proven to have a positive impact on children in all areas including :
- 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.
The positive impacts created by the Dog Mentor programme follow the premise that improving communication within schools will improve behaviour. This, in turn will provide an improved outcome for staff, parents and more importantly pupils.
How will I help you in school?
My role as school dog is interesting, challenging and varied, and no two days are ever the same in my job! My main role as a Dog Mentor is to work as a therapy dog with Mrs McNally in The Nook, where I help provide therapy for individual children or small groups of children. I also love to hear children read and sometimes I might join a class for a lesson or two o support their learning.
My favourite thing to do is to join the children in Celebration Worship every Friday and hear all about their wonderful efforts and achievements. I am always so excited to find out which class has won the 'best attendance' for the week, because it means I get to spend an extra playtime with them as an attendance treat!!
How can you help me in school?
In order to help me to do my job properly and to keep everyone in our school safe (including me!), please ensure that you always follow these rules.
- Always ask the handler if you can stroke me
- Don’t get too excited – always approach me calmly
- Don't shout me name loudly - it hurts my ears and makes me anxious!
- Try not to scream with excitement when you see me
- Try not to run around me - I get too excited
- Do not eat around me - I may try and sneak some of your food!
- Always wash your hands after being with me
- Always make the handler aware if you are allergic to dogs
- Always let the handler know if you’re worried about meeting me
Additional Information
The Dog Mentor Frequently Asked Questions
The Dog Mentor Risk Assessment
The Dog Mentor Opt-Out Consent Letter
If you wish to discuss your child’s mental health, please speak to your child's class teacher or with Mrs Tweddle who is the trained Senior Mental Health Lead in school.
