Dog in school

Unfortunately though, anyone can stick a lead or harness on a dog with the word 'Therapy' written on it and people assume that dog will have undergone particular training and assessments when in fact there is no formal/standard training or assessments. It's perfectly legal to call any dog a Therapy Dog. It's why some airlines are now having to point out to people that 'Therapy Dogs' and 'Emotional Support Dogs' do not have the right to travel with passengers in the way that guide dogs, hearing dogs and medical dogs that sense seizures etc do. Everyone thinks their dog is an emotional support dog to some extent. Schools call their dogs 'Therapy Dogs' before they have even started training, before they are vaccinated / old enough to go anywhere for training... with those first pictures they send around before they have even collected it from the breeder. The failure rate for guide dog training is huge because the training is so strict and careful. Not so with 'Therapy Dogs' and 'Emotional Support Dogs'.

Where do you live that this happening as I only see folks bitching on here about it. If it happens as much as it’s posted here the laws would have changed years ago.

trains and buses allow pets on have done for years this isn’t a recent thing by the way.

if you have no pets and folks bring theirs you do have the right to refuse as that is rude in my book.

Depending on how this is done I think this is a great idea. So many parents let their small children run up when you’re walking your dog it’s quite shocking. I hate to think what would happen if the dog was reactive. I’ve seen it happen to my cats too and certain cats can be quite violent, not mine thankfully but with all the dog bites and violence happening maybe it should be something covered in school. That way they can teach children that you shouldn’t approach a dog unless you ask and that perhaps running at any animal isn’t the way to go.
If it’s just a pet dog in school though with no one explaining this it could have the opposite impact and could just make the children think all dogs are approachable.

In fact when one friend's dog was refused entry I was asked if I had an allergy.
Like that could be the only reason.

Where do people push their dogs onto you do tell as I think that bollocks

People let their dogs jump up at strangers. Regularly. They have them on trains and buses where you have to step over them. I've had a couple of visitors bring their dogs to my house, where they are informed the dog is not allowed in.
They are in most part, initially, disbelieving. Until they realise I mean it.

Then I what?

@Cutestfeet

What did you base this intelligent response on?

The - beautifully trained, only kept in a non-child bit of the school, pets as therapy - labradors in my sons school have really helped him deal with his anxieties. I’ve requested special time for him with the school dogs after, for example, he was knocked down by a dog during the holidays.

but the dogs are a part of the school family, tightly controlled and no one who is unwilling ever has to go near, or be in the same room as them.

that’s a world away from being your dog to school day…

Dog lover and dog owner and absolutely disagree with him bringing his large dog to a primary school that is insane.

@Dullardmullard, err, pretty sure the head bringing her Rottweiler into school is pushing her dog on to folks...

Where do people push their dogs onto you do tell as I think that bollocks.

Dogs are a real positive in any environment, l would have absolutely loved having a dog in my school. Lucky children.

Dogs gross me out. They are by nature filthy animals.
I have zero reason to try to like them, and no one should be forced to have them around. They are the owner's choice, and should not infringe on others.
On top of that, they do pose a risk of getting bitten, scratched, knocked over.
And many of us are allergic.
I really don't want them in school. Kids deserve better.

I am delighted that at both my children's schools there is clear signage stating no dogs allowed.

Absolutely excellent point.

We can't take sesame seed products in to school. This really limits us, as a vegan family, as it means staples like houmous are out. But I'm not pushing my houmous sandwiches on people like people push dogs. We simply accommodate the person with allergies.

It shouldn’t be in the kitchen and remember it’s training not trained yet

I don’t like the my dog is friendly either and leash mine when on walks in the street and when off lead at the beach or field I recall continuously if I see any other folks or dogs.

We've just had a trainee therapy dog brought into work.
It's awful. It runs at you. It jumps up. If its picked up it licks your face.
I've had to request it stays out of the staff kitchen.

Honestly, the way to make me like dogs is to keep it under control, and not to approach me.

There is a fabulous German Shepard near me. Its never on a lead, but one word from its owner, and it is at heal. No issue with it.

Compared to the idk what dog, Labrador sized, that ran across a road last week to "say hello". Awful. Get it under control.

So, I guess it partially depends on how well behaved it is, and if those who don't want to interact with it can be left alone. Or if anyone can be subjected to an approach.

And for those who say "but my dog really is friendly" I've got the scars to show you you might not always be right. That was a "friendly" dog "saying hello", so I'm now completely adverse to being approached by them.

So long as that child doesn't make an 'unexpected approach' or 'startle' the big friendly dog. As a poster upthread said in defence of the school dog that bit a six year old's face.

I'm sure dogs can be a hugely positive and beneficial thing for many children, but headteachers bringing in their pet dogs isn't the way forwards. Trained, assessed therapy dogs brought in under controlled conditions maybe - any headteacher who decides they can save money on dog sitters, no thank you!

I was terrified of dogs as a child. Thanks to my primary head teacher’s big, soft, gentle Great Dane I’ve ended up loving them. The best thing for children who are anxious around dogs is exposing to a friendly, non threatening one.

My main concern would be allergies and asthma - why isn't it the same as nuts? Just because lots of people like nuts doesn't mean that trumps a child's right to be alive??

There , you have just proved my point in that comment !

I HATES DOGS FULL STOP , EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE FUCKERS !!

I'm really surprised at this as I was considering PAT for my dog but their biggest stipulation is that they don't jump up

In my job role, I have to visit a GP practice as a professional once a month. As soon as I enter the room, the therapy dog bounds up to me and jumps up.

When I sit down and get my laptop out, it rushes up to my feet and puts its paws on my lap and it then snuffles around in my bag.

I am not scared of dogs but find them dirty and gross. I do not want it touching me.

As a therapy dog, I expected it to be trained and not to run and jump up at people. Nobody there asked my permission, whether I had fears or allergies (I luckily don’t) and the dog was not under control. Completely unacceptable.

Do you routinely quiz your dentist, doctor, financial professionals, all your kids’ teachers on whether or not they like dogs? It sounds like you should as if they don’t, you won’t be able to work with them.

It is such a silly trite comment spouted by people acting like they are the first people to come up with this clever insight.

And a very good motto it is too. 😁