“There is a constant stream of individual children who are provided time with the dogs to address specific situations and needs. They are used as work/learning buddies, supports and motivators, calming opportunities, co-regulators, comfort resources and much more.

Our dogs were helpful not only for calming volatile behaviour and helping a child to regulate themselves – they were invaluable for supporting children with anxiety. On a regular basis, we have had a number of children who find it extremely difficult to enter school and their classroom. It never failed to amaze me how simply inviting the child to walk with one of the dogs to their classroom instantly broke the negative cycle of their emotional state and enabled them to not only begin their day of learning but to start it with a much more positive frame of mind. I know describing it as “magic” may sound like an exaggeration to a person who has not witnessed this firsthand, but again, I assure you in all sincerity, that it’s a scenario I have seen play out over and over again!”

~ Christy Webster, Principal, Sheppard Public School