As a school we are always looking for ways to help and support our children to access learning and build on their life skills. Our school therapy dog, Dora, will be highly trained. Dora is a miniature labradoodle and has been especially chosen as a perfect breed for a school therapy dog. 

Dora lives with Ms Isherwood the headteacher and comes into school with her every day and goes home with her at night. Dora will be based in Ms Isherwood's office when she is at school and will always have a member of staff with her when she moves around school. 

Dora will provide affection, a calming atmosphere and comfort to the children at Camberwell Park School as well as lots of other opportuities and motivation for learning. One example of the use of therapy dogs is to build self  - confidence. Some of our children who struggle with reading and who have low self - confidence as a result - by reading to Dora it will help the children relax and focus on the dog and build their self - confidence with reading skills. 

Children can also benefit from playing with dogs who can not only be a source of calmness and relaxation but also a source of stimulation for the brain and for the body and can be a doorway into supporting learning for a child. Dora will stimluate our children's interest, curiosity and motivation. The rewards of teaching a dog a new trick for example can teach children the importance of perseverance. 

Studies have shown that dogs can help calm hyperactive children and children who present with challenging behaviours. Dogs are also known to ease lonliness. reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Other benefits of having Dora in school include:

- Dogs can elevate levels of seratonin and dopamine which are known to calm and relax

- Dogs can promote social interaction and provide unconditional love and affection

- Dogs can encourage communication and provide a motivation for learning

- Therapy dogs can help to increase self - confidence and reduce self - conciousness

- Therapy dogs can help children overcome speech and language disorders

- Dora will provide a non- stressful, non judgemental learning environment for our children

- Dora will motivate and encourage our children to move more, stretch further and be active for longer

- Dora will encourage children to play

- Dora will teach children responsibility and the opportunity to care for something that will award kindness with equal measure if not more love.

If you have any queries about Dora the therapy dog in school please do not hesitate to contact school to discuss. 

Ms M Isherwood

Headteacher

August 2017