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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask your opinion on support dogs in schools

133 replies

OddSocksDontCare · 22/03/2019 21:00

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47655600

I saw this article earlier and was curious as to what others think about this?

I've suffered mental health issues the past year or so and got my dog 7 months ago now. He has completely saved my life and I couldn't get more joy from him than I do.

I am considering trying to get him involved in some sort of therapy work i.e. nursing home visits / hospitals / schools etc... and have been going to training classes with him to try and lead up to this. I wouldn't have believed the thought of me having a hobby and joining a class like this a year ago!

I think the idea of pets as therapy for anxiety and stress can be a brilliant one with the right regulations in place to cater for those it would be unsuitable for (allergies, fear of dogs etc).

OP posts:

yolofish · 22/03/2019 22:09

very fair point hyena there has to be protection for those children who dont want/cant be in contact. So there should be a dog reading/visiting space I guess. But, I dont know enough about severe allergies, would it be a problem if other kids came back with dog hair on them? I would imagine that many children with dogs at home come to school every day with dog/cat hair on them?

confusednorthner · 22/03/2019 22:11

We've volunteered with Canine Concern who are similar to Pets as Therapy. We had to find our own places to visit but found nursing homes, nuseries and beaver groups happy to have us.

lovelylondonsky · 22/03/2019 22:13

I don't think dogs have any place in schools.

Any benefit that they might offer should be able to be fulfilled by humans.

Watfrordmummy · 22/03/2019 22:15

My son's school has support dogs!! Love that they have this

yolofish · 22/03/2019 22:16

Dogs give something different than humans though, they are cuddly, and fun, and they dont judge - they just listen and appreciate, and just by being there they can help people feel/do better and be less afraid.

Original poster

OddSocksDontCare · 22/03/2019 22:17

there has to be protection for those children who dont want/cant be in contact. So there should be a dog reading/visiting space I guess

Absolutely agree with this. There needs to be designated areas away from the main classrooms I would have thought.

LovelyLondon, it's not always as easy as that though. People who struggle with social interaction for example may find it very beneficial and easier with an animal. My nephew has autism and he absolutely comes out of his shell like I've never seen when there's an animal around.

OP posts:

MidniteScribbler · 22/03/2019 22:18

Any benefit that they might offer should be able to be fulfilled by humans.

I think people would have something to say if I laid in the reading corner and cuddled a child.

CheshireChat · 22/03/2019 22:18

As long as it's optional and people are sensible about asthma and allergies (so no 'oh, just give it a quick stroke, you'll grow out of it) it's a great idea

I do agree that perhaps some reptiles or rabbits for kids who are simply scared of dogs.

agnurse · 22/03/2019 22:19

The college where I teach periodically brings in animals for pet therapy. So far we have had therapy dogs and Bunnies on the Balcony. Students are told in advance where the animals will be so they can avoid the area if they have allergies. A technical institute in the same city offers monthly pet therapy. They bring in a Labradoodle so he is a hypoallergenic breed. The program is called PAWS for a Break.

agnurse · 22/03/2019 22:21

lovelylondonsky

Many people will respond to an animal when they won't respond to another person. Obviously this is not a school environment, but there are some situations where a human literally cannot help. An example is in the case of children testifying in court for abuse cases. They are not allowed another person with them on the witness stand because it could affect their testimony. My province allows for children to bring a therapy dog with them on the witness stand as a support. This option has been used many times.

weekendsleep · 22/03/2019 22:24

I think support animals are amazing- I don't have one myself but I do suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and my pup is so calming when they happen- just lays with me, he usually runs around like crazy!

I think having them too common place though- especially in schools, could be a nightmare distraction wise and allergies etc. Maybe allow the ones for severe disabilities (eg blind, deaf, uncontrolled epilepsy etc) in schools but if everyone had an anxiety dog there would be no room for humans!

JellySlice · 22/03/2019 22:41

In this case the support dogs are not one per person, like, say, guide dogs, that move around with the person. This would be a dog that lives with a member of staff and is based in a particular classroom or office.

JazzyBBG · 22/03/2019 22:43

Our school has one, it's a right nippy little sod and I think it's a disaster waiting to happen myself.

The school issued a policy about how the children should behave around the dog which I felt was inappropriate and seems to blame them if something happens.

Not a fan.

Original poster

OddSocksDontCare · 22/03/2019 22:51

Our school has one, it's a right nippy little sod

That does not sound good at all!!

The scheme's I've been looking to put my dog forward for have all required an assessment first to determine his temperament and ensure he's calm around children, heavy petting etc...

OP posts:

NuffSaidSam · 22/03/2019 23:16

I love the idea of someone bringing a dog in, a teacher or a volunteer. My DC would love it.

For animal welfare reasons I don't think there should be any pressure for all schools to have a 'school dog'. It needs to be a loved pet first and do a bit of letting kids pat it second. It shouldn't be ownerless and just belong to 'the school'.

Tunnockswafer · 22/03/2019 23:20

Any benefit that they might offer should be able to be fulfilled by humans
Nah, I’m not letting the weans stroke me.

Anothertimesoon · 22/03/2019 23:23

My DD has one at her school. I think it’s a very good idea tbh

Anothertimesoon · 22/03/2019 23:31

Tunnockswafer
**Any benefit that they might offer should be able to be fulfilled by humans
**Nah, I’m not letting the weans stroke me. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 i just snotted

Tunnockswafer · 22/03/2019 23:33

You’re welcome (I think!)

Hadenoughofitall441 · 22/03/2019 23:38

That would have made my day if I was still at school, I prefer dogs to humans anyway, much more loyal 😊

Anothertimesoon · 22/03/2019 23:39

Sorry @ didn’t work!

CheshireChat · 22/03/2019 23:40

Imagine the AIBUs Tunnockswafer

AIBU to go talk to the Head as the teacher's hair fur isn't soft enough?

PickAChew · 22/03/2019 23:51

One of the teachers at one of my DS's special skills has a dog that tags along to outdoor Ed sessions with them. He's very popular.

weekendsleep · 23/03/2019 00:24

@JellySlice ah I see! That's sweet, maybe a tad overwhelming for the pup everyday though?

TheYoungOffendersMum · 23/03/2019 00:34

There's two at my eldest kids secondary. I believe they don't visit across the entire school and they have posters up to get people know if they will be in that day and to let a member of staff know if that will be a problem etc.

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