Betty - Our Dog Mentor

The Dog Mentor

We are pleased to announce that we have joined The Dog Mentor Programme and have introduced our own school dog Betty to Bracken Edge Primary School.

The Dog Mentor programme has built upon the benefits of the human-animal bond by providing children positive experiences with dogs that can help them educationally, developmentally, emotionally and socially.

Over the last 10 years, The Dog Mentor programme has been proven to have a positive impact on children in many areas including self-esteem, behaviour, peer relationships and better engagement skills. These improvements can then result in improved academic achievement.

Mrs Griffiths will be bringing her dog, Betty, into school on a carefully planned timetable. We envisage that The Dog Mentor Programme will have a positive influence on the school environment as a whole and look forward to the impact The Dog Mentor programme will have on our children.

Risk assessments & rules related to Betty our Dog Mentor

 Betty Risk Assessment click here

Walking Betty in the park Risk Assessment click here

General Rules for working with Betty click here

Food Rules click here

Approaching Betty click here

Hello,

My name is Betty and I am the Bracken Edge Primary School Dog Mentor.  I am a Golden Retriever and I live with Mrs Griffiths (Deputy Head) .  I joined the school in April 2024 and have passed my Dog Mentor Programme assessment with flying colours.  Mrs Griffiths, Miss Carr, Miss Wickes, Miss Potter, Mrs Lunn and Miss Kaye have received training to be my handlers in school.  My role as school dog will be challenging and varied, but I feel that I am more than up to the task.  I love being around people and making them happy. Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of dogs in schools and evidence indicates that areas of potential benefits include:

•  Cognitive development – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving, game-playing and can improve reading skills.
• Emotional development – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety.
• Physical development – interaction with a pet reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses.
• Environmental benefits – a dog in a school contributes towards the creation of home style environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over.
• Social benefits – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing, developing social skills and focused interaction with others.

But what will my role as dog mentor at Bracken Edge Primary School entail during school hours?

I will have an interesting and ever-changing job. At the moment I am learning how to greet people and where and when I can play. I am spending a lot of time in Miss Carr's office and with Mrs Griffiths and Miss Potter whilst I am introduced to school life slowly. Over time, I will work as a Dog Mentor and will follow planned sessions with individual children or small groups of children as needed.  I am also very excited about hearing children read.  Sometimes, I may join a class for a lesson or two if it will enrich the experience in some way.  I really enjoy walks in Potternewton Park as well.  There are always lots of boys and girls wanting to come with me.

I plan on keeping my section of the website up-to-date with comments and photographs documenting my time in school.  If you have any further questions regarding my role within the school please contact Mrs Griffiths, Miss Carr or Miss Potter via the school office.

Please see the link to The Dog Mentor website

 https://www.thedogmentor.co.uk/about