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Original poster

The school is getting a school dog

565 replies

Worriedaboutthedoggy · 10/01/2020 23:27

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.

OP posts:
Mistigri · 13/01/2020 12:57

I and my kids are severely allergic to dogs, and the idea of a hypoallergenic dog is a marketing one not a scientific one. I would be fuming at the very idea tbh ...

Mistigri · 13/01/2020 13:02

using regulated exposure to specific allergens

And the whole point of this is that exposure if regulated ie at controlled doses.

I've had several courses of desensitisation to dogs and it either works poorly or not at all. Still can't go into an enclosed space with a dog.

Schools can not eliminate all allergens from the environment, but what they should not do is deliberately introduce large quantities of allergen into the school environment without proper medical supervision of allergic pupils!

You wouldn't take a tub of peanut butter into a classroom and wave around spoonfuls of the stuff. So why would you deliberately expose students with animal allergies to a potentially deadly allergen?

peachescariad · 13/01/2020 13:11

I think it's brilliant idea. What a fab school your DC go to.
I work in a secondary and the SEN and Well Being would love this

Mendingfences · 13/01/2020 13:16

Do we keep our allergic child out of parks? No, outdoor spaces are much less problematic. However, experience has unfortunatly taught us that said child really should not visit houses with pets, should preferably avoid crowded indoor situations (lots of pet hair on clothes causing problems) and as far as sports go, swimming is by far the least problematic as everyone showers before entering the pool and swimming costumes are not usually worn when cuddling pets.

Obviously these restrictions are not fun but do make a huge differences healthwise, and no i'm not a fan of anything that increases the amount of pet hair in her school environment or on other pupils clothes.

As far as service dogs go - i would very much hope that pupils would not be cuddling such dogs. A teacher using a service dog in the classroom would unfortunatly make that an unsafe place for my kid.

BlaueLagune · 13/01/2020 13:19

You wouldn't take a tub of peanut butter into a classroom and wave around spoonfuls of the stuff. So why would you deliberately expose students with animal allergies to a potentially deadly allergen

Not just students, staff could be allergic too. I only developed a (mild) cat allergy in my late 20s.

I suppose they'd argue peanut allergies are often life-threatening, whereas animal allergies usually aren't (although BIL has asthma made worse by certain animals, so it could be life-threatening more often than I think). But it doesn't matter because the dog lobby is so powerful at the moment.

Beastieboys · 13/01/2020 13:46

Good grief I hope your post is a joke.... Never heard such tripe (and I've heard shed loads of it),.......

JosieJasper · 13/01/2020 14:06

I really do judge parents who say their children are ‘scared’ of dogs, it ALWAYS comes from the parents, is is frankly ridiculous

Sorry but you’re WRONG there! My daughter loves dogs from a distance and as much as she wants to like them close up she is just scared due to several situations with dogs in the park that we walk through to get to school. One was a Jack Russell running over and stealing food from her hand when we were at a picnic in the park with friends. Another where luckily she was holding my hand but two big dogs playing ran into her from behind as we were walking and literally swept her off her feet so she was horizontal in the air. The other was a very cute but bouncy puppy (cockerpoo) jumping up at her so it’s face was in hers and nipping at her. (It’s OK, he’s friendly, shouts the owner from 100 meters away) Whilst none of these dogs were out to hurt her...and I have explained this to her many times, she is still scared. I love dogs, I had a lovely one as a kid and I have always spoken to owners of friendly dogs to ask if we can stroke them and have told her that you always let the dog sniff the back of your hand first etc but no matter how cute and adorable the dog, she just can’t do it. This has absolutely not come from me! Also, I find it bizarre that PPs think it’s crazy to be scared of dogs yet they can’t even cope with a bloody spider/mouse 🙄.

CauliflowerBalti · 13/01/2020 15:21

My son's school has a dog and he is amazing. He helps children that are struggling with big emotions, he is always there for an ear rub during exam stress... He seems very happy and relaxed so I don't think it's stressful for him, at all - he lives with one of the pastoral team, and hangs around with her all day. I think it's a nice life for a dog - and the kids love him.

CauliflowerBalti · 13/01/2020 15:24

Oh. Yeah. He doesn't roam the corridors - he's always on a lead, and he's a trained therapy dog so when he's working, it's one on one with kids in a session, or a group 'stress relief' session. The only time you ever really see him is on some parents evenings or at selected school events, when he is wheeled out and on show. Mostly he's in an office, doing his thing.

thecatsabsentcojones · 13/01/2020 15:48

I think it's a lovely idea, it would really help some kids.

Neither of my dogs would be stressed out by a situation like that and it's a good learning opportunity for the kids. As for those saying their kids would be terrified, give them a day and they'd be as in love with the dog as all the others. My dogs have a 100% fear conversion rate!

BovaryX · 13/01/2020 15:55

Why on earth does a school need a dog? And to cap it all, a pedigree dog not a rescue. Utterly bloody ludicrous

BovaryX · 13/01/2020 15:57

Coming at it from a slightly different pov, what's in it for the dog? Seems like it's to be seen as a "resource" .How much it will help the kids etc etc. What will its life be like?
Precisely. It's bloody bonkers

BBOA · 13/01/2020 16:42

Sure it great to have therapy dogs visit but let's face it, who wants to be surrounded by kids all day. It won't have a choice poor thing . 😂

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 13/01/2020 17:03

to cap it all...not a rescue
Actually, with children and insurance to think about, you're much better off with a dog whose background is known, and the temperament of whose parents is known.

what's in it for the dog
I know the dog who is due to come into the school where I work. Very jolly, loves people, will only be in for an hour once a week to begin with: I think she'll have a blast and if she hates it, I can't imagine her owner will persist.

pinkstripeycat · 13/01/2020 17:31

I am allergic to curly dogs. The last time I was around a poodle I had an asthma attack end ended up being taken to the hospital by ambulance

WeshMaGueule · 13/01/2020 18:31

As for those saying their kids would be terrified, give them a day and they'd be as in love with the dog as all the others

What's with this weird cultish preoccupation with getting people to love dogs? I dislike dogs. I'm still a fully rounded human being.

fascinated · 13/01/2020 21:15

But dogs are minging - they stink, they lick their bits and each others’ bits and then people, they poo everywhere which leaves germs all over the ground even when people pick it up... why would I like them? Why should I?

UndertheCedartree · 13/01/2020 21:23

As for those saying their kids would be terrified, give them a day and they'd be as in love with the dog as all the others

And what's with some dog owners not understanding that some children are genuinely scared because of situations irresponsible dog owners have put them in? And no seeing the school dog for a day is not going to suddenly take that fear away.

Sonichu · 13/01/2020 21:40

Nothing brings out the crazy in MN like a good old dog thread.

bluebluezoo · 13/01/2020 21:44

But dogs are minging - they stink, they lick their bits and each others’ bits and then people, they poo everywhere which leaves germs all over the ground even when people pick it up... why would I like them? Why should I?*

Sound like my husband 😂😂😂😂

Oral sex anyone? Or cleaning skidstains off a toilet bowl? Sitting next to a farter?

I prefer my dog 😂😂

Mischance · 13/01/2020 22:05

fascinated - well quite.

Dogs should not be foisted on children at school.

CaramelMama · 14/01/2020 01:33

I think its a excellent idea, and the temprement usually goes on how the owners treat it. The environemnt is fine for a dog that is growing up with it.
When we were at school we kind of adopted the village stray, he was an alsation, he was just always there. Break times he was in the play ground, meal times he hung around by the door outaide the dining hall, I cant remember him ever greeding food, but he did get titbits that kids would smuggle out. He was always laid next to the stage when we had assembly and would be on the field during sports day. If it was raining and he came to the classroom door (each class had an inside door and then one that led out to the playground) if he came to the playground door while we were in class and it was raining, cold, snowing or wven too hot, teachers would always ask one of us to open the door and let him in. He was part of school life, We were always encouraged to look after him, put out water etc, That was in the 80's so much more relaxed, but it did us good. I remember when kids where sent on errands out of school our head teacher would always tell us to "Take The Dog with you" it was just accepted as the norm. During holidays it claimed a home with a nearby family who had lots of kids and animals and clearly didn't notice another. I'd encourage it, it'll teach the kids to responsible pet owners.

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 14/01/2020 09:15

My dog allergy is life threatening if l don’t have an inhaler.

But let’s ignore the people who get life threatening allergies and introduce a dog into school and pretend they don’t exist.
As l said previously, l am this person, and if l was at that school, I’d be expecting a large payout as they would be totally ignoring my quite severe disability

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 14/01/2020 09:16

And if l worked there l would lose my career, so the payout would be greater.

But as l said, people just ignore this allergy as it suits them to do so

myself2020 · 14/01/2020 14:41

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince if you would be there (and you aren’t!), the school wouldn’t get a dog. if you even suspect they would do that (and you do!), find another job NOW! because your school
is clearly incredibly irresponsible