At Arundale Primary School, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing, personal development and emotional health of all pupils. As part of this commitment, we are fortunate to have two Therapy and Wellbeing Dogs, Sadie and Wilbur, who play an important role within our school community.

Meet Sadie and Wilbur

Sadie is a Labradoodle who joined Arundale in January 2022.
Wilbur is a Cockapoochon who joined the school in April 2023. 

Both dogs are based in the school office, which is separate from teaching areas. Pupils only interact with Sadie and Wilbur under the supervision of trained members of staff and in accordance with the school's School Dog Policy and Risk Assessment. 

How Sadie and Wilbur Support Our School

Sadie and Wilbur form part of our wider pastoral and wellbeing provision. They help to create a calm, positive and nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported and valued.

Our therapy dogs support pupils in a variety of ways, including:

• promoting emotional wellbeing and positive mental health;
• supporting pupils who may feel anxious about school;
• encouraging positive attendance and engagement;
• helping children build confidence and self-esteem;
• supporting nurture and pastoral interventions;
• developing empathy, kindness and responsibility;
• encouraging positive relationships and communication skills;
• supporting reading confidence and enjoyment;
• helping children regulate emotions and manage worries; and
• providing comfort during periods of change or transition. 

Children can benefit both emotionally and educationally through appropriate interaction with therapy dogs and often enjoy the opportunity to spend time with them as part of their school experience. 

Supporting Our HEART Values

Sadie and Wilbur help promote our school values of:

Hardworking

The dogs encourage children to persevere, develop confidence and keep trying when learning feels challenging.

Equity

Sadie and Wilbur help create an inclusive environment where every child feels welcomed, respected and supported.

Aspiration

The dogs support children to develop confidence, take positive risks and believe in their ability to succeed.

Resilience

Spending time with the dogs can help children manage emotions, recover from setbacks and develop coping strategies.

Teamwork

Children learn how to interact respectfully, show responsibility and work cooperatively with others.

Safety, Welfare and Allergies

The welfare of pupils, staff and visitors is always our priority.

The school recognises that some individuals may have allergies, medical needs or concerns regarding dogs. Appropriate risk assessments, control measures and reasonable adjustments are implemented where required to ensure that everyone can access school safely.

Interactions with Sadie and Wilbur are carefully planned and supervised, and participation is never compulsory.

Research and Benefits

Research suggests that school therapy dogs can:

• reduce stress and anxiety;
• improve emotional wellbeing;
• support engagement with learning;
• encourage reading confidence;
• improve social interaction; and
• promote positive behaviour and relationships.

Many pupils find that spending time with Sadie and Wilbur helps them feel calmer, more confident and better able to engage with school life. 

Further Information

Please see the documents below for additional information about our therapy dog provision:

• School Dog Policy
• School Dog Risk Assessment
• Frequently Asked Questions

We are proud of the positive contribution Sadie and Wilbur make to our school community and the support they provide to pupils, families and staff.

Please see link below to our school dog policy.