St Hardulph's C of E Primary School

Hello, 

My name is Bramley and I am the St Hardulph’s C of E Primary School Dog Mentor.

I am a 6 year old Golden Retriever who is a very friendly and sociable dog and a much-loved member of Mrs Ellis’ family. I am affectionate and used to being around young children.

I love eating apples and cucumber and chewing on a good stick. I love to play and roll in long grass and get rather excited when it snows or when I get to go swimming whilst on a walk.

I am new to St Hardulph’s and I have passed my Dog Mentor Programme assessment with flying colours. Mrs Ellis and Miss Tyrer have received training to be my handlers in school.

My role as school dog will be challenging and varied. I am looking forward to greeting the children each morning on the gate, getting to go into classrooms to share the children’s learning, being read stories to and spending time with some individual children during targeted intervention sessions. I am also looking forward to spending time with children as a reward for demonstrating our school values and positive behaviours and taking part in the daily mile.

When I am not working around school, I will have a rest in either Mrs Ellis’ or Mrs Russell’s office and over the next few months there may be some days I am not in school as I adjust to the demands of being a working dog and build up to being in school every day.

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 a 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.

Photos from my first day in school when I completed my training:

Add photos I have emailed you.

I plan on keeping my section of the website up-to-date with comments and photographs documenting my time in school. If you have any further questions regarding my role within the school, please contact us.

To find out more about the Dog Mentor please click here:  https://www.thedogmentor.co.uk/about