Dog at school and child with phobia

[LittleMissMe99]

In my daughters school they have a wellbeing area where all children can go. If they're upset, lonely, just want a chat etc. Really lovely idea I think and works very well. My daughter who is 11 (just started secondary school) won't go because they have a dog and she is terrified of them. Full blown phobia There have been occasions when she has been alone at lunch time and wanted to go there (where there are other kids in a similar situation). But she's too scared. She's a very shy and anxious child and will not tell them shes afraid of dogs. I'm wondering should I mention it to the school? They won't get rid of the dog because of one student will they? What would you do?

You need to start working on her phobia, If you're not already. You cannot avoid dogs all your life.

I would speak to the school to see if there are times the dog isn't there but I certainly wouldn't push for them not to have a dog as everyone else will miss out.

You need to tell school that your child wants to access that area as she’s on her own and can’t because of her dog phobia .. then they will be able to support her access to that area .. they obviously can’t get rid of the dog or solve her phobia but they can help with contacts and buddy msybe

A dog that is trained to be in a support area of the school is just about the best dog your dd could be meeting to help address her phobia. So I would certainly contact the school and ask for a plan of gradual exposure to the dog, which will be behaving well and calmly and will show your dd how most dogs behave,

I would let the school know. I wouldn't expect them to get rid of the dog, but they might let you know if there are times when it isn't there so she can avail of the space. I can't imagine that she is the only pupil who is afraid of dogs, or doesn't like them.

I’m curious about what pupils who come from cultures which see dogs as impure are meant to do. Can they access the safe space zone? Or is it that the dog has a useful purpose in that setting and isn’t a pet, so that is acceptable? Or the dog has to be outside and not inside?

Same here re getting dog for that reason.

It's definitely worth sharing with the school, because there's lots of things that could be considered. It doesn't mean getting rid of the dog, but if staff are aware of phobias they can support etc...make space away from the dog. And also, as others have said, it would be great for your child to get support as well to manage and overcome the phobia.

Fear of dogs is quite rational imo. Over 8,000 people a year require hospital treatment as a result of dog attacks. So I wouldn't characterise it as an irrational 'phobia', nor do I think your DD is unreasonable for wanting to avoid the dog.

You have ti get her help for her phobia. She will not go through life avoiding dogs and this is debilitating for her

She is 11. You should have sorted this years ago .

Totally this. A phobia is real but can also be cured. And not by picking her up if a dog is in the park or screeching at people to get their dogs away.

@MissDollyMix my friend addressed her debilitating fear of cats with hypnotherapy. She still doesn't like them much, but she can visit relatives who have them and comfortably be in the same room as and even touch them. Might be worth looking into.

For those saying she shouldn't have to get over the phobia because of the school dog, I think the point is more she should get over it to make her life easier as she grows up and encounters multiple situations with dogs.

But why is it necessary to encounter all these situations with dogs if you don't like them? It should be possible for most people pretty much to go through their lives unbothered by dogs so long as owners keep them under control.

Speak to the school.

My kids school got a dog for well-being and they sent out communication asking parents to let them know if any child had issues with phobias or allergies in order that they could ensure the dog wasn't in contact with these children.

My eldest has a phobia of dogs and they offered to work with him to help him. And while he will never be a dog lover, the school was great and it did help.

If OPs DD is so scared of dogs that she won’t go into a room because she knows a well-behaved therapy dog is in there, what will happen when she is on a train or a bus or in a shop or cafe or pub and a dog walks in?

Of course it makes sense to overcome phobias, which are by definition irrational

So you want the school to get rid of a well trained, well behaved therapy dog who is helping loads of children because your child is scared?

If she was to go in the area it has probably been trained not to approach children unless it’s asked to.

Tell the school and they’ll be able to help her get over her fear. They can’t help if they don’t know

Phobias aren’t necessarily irrational, though they may be. They can be an extreme response to something that could be dangerous or frightening.

Lots of schools are starting to have dogs now. I know of quite a few in our area. I go into a lot of schools for work and all the dogs I encounter are all extremely well-behaved and keep themselves to themselves unless approached.
My own child has a dog phobia, but I would ask school to help him to get used to the dog slowly.

I would email school and explain the situation and see if someone can meet her to take her into the wellbeing area.

I know this is about a phobia but what about all the kids who just don't like dogs and don't want to spend time with them but do want to access the service?

I'm not scared of them. I do think they are revolting animals and I would also not go to where they are out of choice. I know many people who feel the same.

www.dictionary.com/browse/phobia

A rational fear is a fear

An phobia isn’t based on assessing a situation, it’s based on an irrational assumption that it will definitely be dangerous or frightening

Serious question - what support is there for children with dog phobias? My 3 year old is terrified and I wish she wasn’t. I don’t particularly like dogs so we certainly won’t be getting one but I’m not scared and it would be nice to walk through public areas without my child screaming and crying. But when I’ve googled it not very much has come up 🙁 dogs trust offer something from memory but not in my particular area (town not far outside london so not exactly the arse end of no where!)

I do think OP should contact the school, not to get rid of the dog but to alert them that she needs support and currently can’t get it. If they’re the sort of school to have this kind of area and a therapy dog, their pastoral care is presumably good and they will come up with a solution. I doubt she’s the only one who doesn’t like dogs.

You can mention it do they are aware. However no one who doesn't want to will have to see or go near the dog. Usually the dog is in one place and children are invited not the other way around.

Not all children are open-minded about dogs. Some may also have had bad experiences.

I love dogs myself, but I think a feel-good area in a school should be designed so that all children can feel comfortable there.

I would bring up the issue at school. Maybe the dog can be in a different room on a day or two.

OP, I had a horrific phobia of dogs as a child, I would walk in the road with the cars to avoid one on the pavement and would have a full panic attack with tears if one came near.

It was ruining my life, becoming more and more overwhelming.

In the end I decided I hate living like that so went out and bought a dog. The first few days were a nightmare but now my life is 100% improved and I realise all my fears were absolutely ridiculous.

I now worked in a rescue centre and my life revolves around dogs. The best thing for your daughter would be to get to know the dog. It will change her life immeasurably.

Nothing is worst than living in fear.

Speak to the school. The dog isn't a pupil and your daughter is. Obviously not all pupils can access the wellbeing area if there's a bloody animal in there. They need to rethink. Put the dog in the head's office or something out the way of others if they really want it in the building.