DOG THERAPY

Meet Sooty, Our Wellbeing Dog!

Meet Sooty, Our Wellbeing Dog!

Sooty is a fully trained and assessed Pets as Therapy wellbeing dog who will be visiting school every week to work with individuals and groups of children. He may even stop by to visit the staff!

Sooty will be visit the classes and interact with pupils who may benefit from his presence in a structured and planned manner.   If your child has allergies or is nervous around dogs, rest assured that they will not unexpectedly encounter him. 

Why Have a Wellbeing Dog in School?

Research has shown that therapy and reading dogs provide many benefits in school settings, supporting children’s emotional well-being, confidence, and learning.

Having a school dog has been proven to:
✔ Support reading development, improving fluency and confidence.
✔ Encourage positive behaviour, attendance, and academic engagement.
✔ Teach responsibility, empathy, and nurturing skills.
✔ Provide comfort and emotional regulation for anxious or distressed children.
✔ Increase motivation and participation in learning.

At Bishopswood School, we hope that Sooty will be a valuable addition to our therapeutic support offer, particularly for children who may struggle with talking therapies.

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs)

Working with a therapy dog has been shown to:
✔ Help develop social skills, self-esteem, and interpersonal awareness.
✔ Reduce anxiety, leading to better focus and learning outcomes.
✔ Support emotional regulation by calming the autonomic nervous system.
✔ Improve confidence and engagement in school life.
✔ Foster trust and positive relationships with peers and teachers.

He can’t wait to meet you all! 🐾😊