Beau - Our school dog

We are pleased to introduce you to a new member of staff, Beau our school dog.

Beau was born in March 2021 and he is a Brown/White Spaniel who is in training as a school wellbeing dog who will become an integral part of our community.

Beau has been introduced slowly and has been a big hit with staff and students. He is making good progress with his training, passing his Kennel Club puppy course in July 2021. 

He is showing himself to have a kind and tolerant nature and therefore we are looking to expand his role.

On the days he is in school, he will have his own timetable, attend meetings, support anxious students and be involved in key intervention/activities.

We have set up a couple of ways to request Beau's support. Staff can refer and ask for Beau's support with students or activities, but also parents and students can now email Beau at beau@tas-tkat.org

There are many benefits of having a school dog.

• Learning including reading and literacy– reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on children as well as the fact that a dog will listen to children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.

• Self-esteem and interest for all students and especially some of our most vulnerable groups

• Emotional support -Anger management, Bereavement

• Lift’s mood – they often provoke laughter and fun

• Developing responsibility

• Reducing stress interaction with a ‘furry friend’ reduces blood-pressure,

• Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety;

• Love and support for groups of students

• Knowledge and understanding of animals

• A feel and sense of community – a dog in a school increases the sense of a family environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over