Canine Assisted Learning

Today Luna has supported a young person who returned to school after a year. She helped them go to their lesson and was there for cuddles after they successfully completed their school day

Wishing the amazing Lisa, Mable and Autumn the very best luck at tonight's BBC News make a difference awards 🐾

Our school dogs have been enjoying lots of fun outside during the summer holidays, but they are looking forward to being back in schools and supporting their young people 🐾

It was a pleasure to be interviewed by Twinkl Digest Education News earlier this month, discussing helpful information to schools interested in starting a school dog programme.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/news/are-school-dogs-the-answer-to-better-emotional-wellbeing

Are school dogs the answer to better emotional wellbeing? - Twinkl Digest Instant access to inspirational lesson plans, schemes of work, assessment, interactive activities, resource packs, PowerPoints, teaching ideas at Twinkl!

Have you been thinking about a school dog programme at your school?

Meet Myla 🐾

Affiliate school dog Myla was visited by our lead Dog Trainer Nic, who was so impressed with her progress. All of our school dogs receive an in person training visit every term, It is is a wonderful opportunity for us to catch up on progress, ensure great practice and start the next steps of training. Myla learnt how to roll and dice and was showing off her skills at playing hide and seek with the young people. Myla is a very beloved member of staff at her school. Our school dogs are dogs who thrive whist making a wonderful impact at school

Peggy at Our Lady's has been working really hard on the silver awards stage of the Affiliate School Dog Programme. Nic, our lead dog trainer is so impressed with all of her progress.

Lots of young people show their appreciation to our school dogs by drawing them. Maui has been working and supporting the young people at this school for over 3 years and they all love him very much. He is able to offer them support in times of need and worry, and calm them when they feel angry. He is such a massive part of their school life.

Lovely Luna supports all the young people at her school who visit the ELSA area. She is always happy to greet them and loves to put a smile on all their faces. If you are an ELSA and thinking about how to introduce a school dog to support your role please get in touch to find out about our SCHOOL DOG TRAINING COURSES.

Tilly has been practising her dice rolling skills ready for the children who are returning to school after their transition days into high school. Tilly has lots of questions to ask them after their two days away.

Our lovely Lola.

Lola is an affiliate school dog at St Joseph's College in Ipswich, she is very much a part of the school and recently joined her year 4-6 on their residential trip. Lola is loved by all of the children she supports and the staff too! 🐾

Beautiful Bailey keeping cool while watching the end of term performance.

Our school dogs offer great support to young people who may feel anxious or worried during performance or other school events and Bailey did just that for the children at his school.

We are pleased to welcome Ralph to the Affiliate School Dog Training Programme 🐾
Ralph the golden retriever is already a well loved member of his primary school, he is calm, happy and confident. We look forward to working with Ralph on his ongoing school dog jouney enhancing his role at school .

Our school dogs mean so much to the young people they support and we love it when they take the time to draw them ❤️ They have captured Waffles personality so well in these drawings

How sweet is Merlin and baby Merlin. This was crocheted for him by an ex-pupil and goes to show the impact he has made for each and everyone of his school friends.

Enrichment activities are a great tool for our school dogs, they enables dogs to explore and use their natural instincts whilst building confidence, and teaching a variety of skills. Our creative teams incorporate these activities in to sessions which are engaging and fun for both the young people and school dogs.

It was so difficult choosing our school dog of the month that we had to choose two! Gracie has been making such a difference to her school; one of the new initiatives is called 'Gracies friends' who are soft toy dog children take home with them to carry to offer continued support

Our other dog of the month is Madi, who started working with CAL from 8 weeks old, with careful integration into school Madi has now passed her foundation training and makes everyone smile at her school. Madi and her handler have been working incredibly hard learning new skills to incorporate in to sessions

The welfare of our school dogs is top priority. Luna is staying nice and cool on her cool mat during the warm weather.

Max and his handler Sarah are ready to cheer on all their young people during sports day 🎖️

Our school dog teams provide many different types of support - sports day is always a day where our dogs offer a space space, a calm environment, encouragement, motivation and a place to relax in-between events.

Max has found himself the perfect shady spot under the gazebo so he doesn't get too hot, he might even get an ice lolly later.

Frosty is looking forward to work today and wishing everyone a happy Wednesday 🌞

In this weather it is important for our dogs to remain as cool as possible, using cooling mats and bandanas and making sure dogs have access to cool fresh water. Our handlers are making sure dogs stay out of the sun as much as possible and going on early morning/ late evening walks when the weather is cooler.

School dog star has been enjoying the sunshine with her young people. She has enjoyed walk and talk sessions on the grounds but has also been making sure to get lots of rest in the shade with this warmer weather.

Larnie has been practising her new dice skills in school! She and the children take turns to roll the dice and select the matching coloured block to build a tower. The game encourages colour recognition, collaboration and turn taking. Plus the children love to see Larnie roll the dice!

Teddy provides endless comfort and support to the young people he works with.

Winnie at Hope School has been reading to her Friends 📚

CAL works across many different school settings, providing goal orientated interventions to meet the needs of the young people.