The school is getting a school dog

[Worriedaboutthedoggy]

The school had sent out a newsletter today that they are getting a school dog. The letter has all the positives mentioned - they are getting it from a reputable breeder and good bloodlines, it is a hypoallergenic breed (labradoodle), it will be staying in a family environment when off duty (presumably with a member of staff), it will teach the children about the importance of caring for someone - but I still am feeling a bit weird about it, can't put my finger on why exactly.

I am not sure about the impact on the dog - won't it be stressed by the usual playground ruckus? What if it turns out to be wrong temperament?

I am also ashamed to admit that one aspect that concerns me is financial. The average lifetime cost of keeping a dog in the UK (according to google) is around £18K, and I can't help feeling that there are better ways to spend these money (the school is currently fundraising for quite basic things).

Please do tell me I am BU and a total killjoy, and please do tell me your positive stories.

Just why and no. Lots of people including school age ones don't like dogs. My DS who uses the SN unit most days at school would avoid going there...and not the only one I am sure. Not just about allergies, it's about feeling safe. Other DS in hospital after major surgery was visited by the hospital dog who sniffed and licked (incl DS puncture wounds .. I was not pleased with the visit! Neither was the little boy and his parents Iin the bed opposite whose son had just had surgery following serious dog bites.

If a kid needed time out from class they could take a dog for a walk around the playing field alongside a TA

Well that wouldn't have calmed me down when I was a kid, and it wouldn't have calmed my DDs down either.

Not everyone likes dogs. I bloody hate them. It's not really fear, I just really don't like them: their smell, their slobber, their hair, their poo, the way they sniff you or try to hump you, the fact that you're never really in control of them no matter how much you think you are....

If you honestly are concerned that terrified or allergic children will be "forced" into interacting with a dog in your child's school environment then I have to wonder why you would be sending your child there in the first place. Surely if their policy is to force children into situations where they are fearful or might have allergies impacted then it won't just apply to a school dog will it? It will be in all educational situations.

The poster who mentioned being forced to interact, said they will be forced.

But I didn't, so that's not relevant to the post of mine you quoted.

It's more likely no one will be forced to do anything at all

It isn't. The dog being in the school is very likely to force people to do things, which is distinct from being forced to interact. If a dog is on the premises, if there is anyone with allergies either working or studying at the school, those people will either be forced to encounter something that triggers their allergies or someone will have to do something they otherwise wouldn't need to have done and take steps to prevent that from happening (ie survey people about allergies and move their workstation or facilitate them being kept away). Anyone there who has a serious enough phobia is going to be forced to engage with that in some way by the dog's presence, whether they are able to avoid interaction or not.

There seems to be some confusion on this thread between service dogs and therapy dogs. Service dogs are often (not always) purpose-bred and highly trained. Therapy dogs - which is what dogs that go into schools tend to be - are dogs that are well-trained and temperament tested, usually through either Canine Concern or Pets as Therapy.

The school where I work is about to have one come in for one afternoon a week. The health and safety policy has been done, the governors have okayed it, all costs directly connected with the dog (including insurance) are being borne by the handler (who is giving up her own time as well), and the dog will be with the handler and on a lead at all times. Most of the admin was sorted out very willingly by a very busy SENCO who was really enthusiastic about the whole idea. Any phobias or allergies amongst children and staff will be worked around: no phobic or even nervous child will have to interact (or probably even see) the dog. The deputy SENCO was dead keen too as she had worked with a therapy dog previously and seen the benefits.

OP, I can understand why you wanted to know more about your DC's school's plan. But nothing is likely to cause more frothing on MN than dogs, except perhaps parking...

I think it's a wonderful plan, and I'm sure that the school will do all the necessary checks, assessments, whatever, and won't be forcing anyone to interact with it if they don't want to.

Hopefully some of the children who are afraid of all dogs will learn that they don't need to be.

My kids school has a school dog. Also a labradoodle. We had to sign something saying we were happy to have our kids interact with the dog. If you did not sign the kids probably never even saw the dog.
The school dog helped one of my children get over a real fear of dogs. It really helped with some of the SEN kids. Kids who were scared of reading or presenting out loud could go and practise reading to the dog to give them confidence. The kids from across infants took it in turns to help take it for a walk. (With the teacher who owned it). They were all hugely proud of the school dog. But the interaction with the dog was pretty minimal and mostly it slept in the school office or head teachers room😀 all in all a very positive experience and no one was forced to do anything

Ps I don’t even like dogs but still found it a great thing for the kids and the school

The poster who said that dogs can cause asthma attacks and make you miserable but not life-threatening allergies. You do, realise, don’t you, that asthma can be life threatening?

I am not sure how me asking questions qualifies as "mouth frothing" and "pearls clutching". I am really sorry if my post had triggered a bad emotional reaction in anyone

Sorry OP- I was not referring to you- your question was perfectly legit.

I was referring to the people in this thread who seem to be looking for reasons to be offended or were exaggerating the risk involved and saying it would cause huge problems even in the face of people who have tried it and said it worked brilliantly. Those people. Those pearls.

Reading most of the responses, most schools seem to be horrendous places given that parents are concerned about their children potentially being treated absolutely awfully. why the heck are you sending your children to a place like that??????

Hypoallergenic does not guarantee that no one will get an allergic reaction. Have they risk assessed this as there could be the potential for someone to react badly , perhaps with an asthma attack?

My grandsons go special school they have a therapy dog. Seems to b good all round

My kid's school has 3 dogs! They all belong to members of staff and have a very
Calm temperament. They stay in the older kids classes most of the day.

I was concerned a little bit as my son was afraid of dogs. The childminder got 2 dogs and DS was so afraid, he hid under the sofa at home. She introduced them gradually and now he loves her Dogs and he is much better around all
Dogs now.

I think it is great

If you are referring to me, splodge, er, yes, I am an asthma and allergy sufferer which is why I've posted several times on the thread to say a dog shouldn't be in school.

Adding my voice to the chorus of "there's no such thing as a non allergy inducing dog" lets face it hypoallergenic just means less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Im baffled by how many schools ban nuts because of allergies but bring dogs in....

I'd love to see some stats on medical emergencies in schools and how many of those were/are allergic reactions due to the school dog.

No one on here seems to have had or know of such an incident so far but maybe someone will the longer the thread goes on.

I am asthmatic by the way and painfully allergic to guinea pigs, horses and various other types of animal hair, dander etc.

@WendyMoiraAngelaDarling i would be surprised if there would be any - a school dog is not like a family dog that is allowed to roam free everywhere. many encounters are outside, the inside ones are in rooms that are not used by children who are allergic. and always supervised. its quite easy really!

I agree myself2020.

My personal view, based on my own experience, is that a severe asthma attack is unlikely if the asthma is controlled with medication and steps are taken to ensure sufferers don't come into contact with the dog or in spaces where it's been. However, they are likely to experience some kind of symptoms within the building even if the dog is kept at a distance.

@Doyoumind depends on the school building - ours consists of several small 1-2 floor buildings that are connected by outside walkways. the dog room is currently in the main building, but a bit that is not used for classes (but office space and storage). if necessary, it can be moved to a side building that is only used for art in the moment (and the art classes would move in the current storagr/dog rooms). in a compact 1 building multi storey school, its more difficult

I suppose I am 50/50.
My sons school has a dog and it is lovely, no problem at all.
But I can't help but feel sorry for the kids or staff who may be allergic to it. I don't know how they're meant to cope, must they take antihistamines everyday? If so it just seems unfair when it could be avoided.

School with a dog would be a huge selling point for me

My friend who used to be a head teacher had a school dog. He's the most adorable thing, taught from small not to lick people or jump up. He's enormous but the most gentle, loving lump of love. She had a lot of very troubled kids in her school and found it really beneficial.
They've both now retired. He knows he's not allowed to lick still but does occasionally slip!!