The school setting will be evaluated by Bale's Buddies as part of the assessment process. The School's risk manager will need to be consulted to ensure they are happy for a dog to be in school.

The dog will need people to handle and support it in school, a number of staff will have to agree to take this on. A dog will never be left alone with students. The dog will also get regular (weekly) training from Bale's Buddies professionals so that in two years it will be a trained Therapy Dog.

Some children may be scared, this is part of the reason to get a dog; to help children to become more confident. Some children may have had upsetting experiences and have a fear of dogs (or another animal). The school dog will only be in contact with children whose parents have given their permission. However, the therapy dogs training will teach them to be calm and gentle around children; they have a very loving and gentle nature. Experience and research have shown that, with proper guidance and handling, children can learn to overcome their fear of animals and grow in respect and appreciation for them.

The head, governors, senior leaders, teaching staff and support staff are normally all supportive. Parent feedback is normally extremely positive with a handful of who may be less sure. Research shows the positive impact that School Therapy Dogs can bring to the education environment. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47655600 https://www.weareteachers.com/dogs-in-the-classroom/

The dog will be toileted off-site and the adult responsible will clean up after it.

The dog will be a ‘hypoallergenic’ breed so people with allergies will not be affected. The dog will have all the proper care in terms of inoculations and anti flea treatments. Children will be taught to always wash their hands after any contact with the dog.

There will be a quiet, child-free space for the dog to rest for significant periods during the school day. There will be a structured and planned timetable for the dog. This will be planned and adapted by Bale's Buddies professional trainers. The dog’s wellbeing will never be compromised.

Depending on the School, some areas of school may be unsuitable for a dog; it will not go to these spaces.

The school understands the costs associated with the dog and who will be responsible for them. The cost will not come out of school funds.

The school will make appropriate insurance arrangements to cover the dog and its activities in school. The insurance for the dog’s health will be covered by its owner.

The school will have a detailed risk assessment.

There will be a back-up plan in place to care for the dog when it cannot attend school (eg if he/she is unwell).

To begin with the dog will be on a minimal timetable as it will be being trained; some of this training will take place in school. In the future, the dog may be in the school playground to greet the children, it may be in class when children are reading, it may support individual children if there is a need, it may be outside for some playtimes, PE lessons and any forest school sessions. It may join after-school club and breakfast club, although not when snacks are being eaten. ​

The owner of the dog will look after it; the owner is normally a member of the teaching staff.

No, the dog will be there as a Therapy Dog. When the dog first arrives it is likely to cause much excitement but school and all staff are focussed on children’s learning. The dog will be there to support this. ​

The dog is an animal and all animals (even children) can bite. However, no Bale's Buddies Therapy Dog has ever bitten a child. School will ensure through careful, considered planning, that this will hopefully never happen. ​ ​

Research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools which include: Cognitive – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game-playing Social – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others Emotional – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts moods, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety Physical – interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses Environmental – a dog in a school increases the sense of a family environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over. Reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on children as well as the dog listening to children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.

The school setting will be evaluated by Bale's Buddies as part of the assessment process. The School's risk manager will need to be consulted to ensure they are happy for a dog to be in school.

The dog will need people to handle and support it in school, a number of staff will have to agree to take this on. A dog will never be left alone with students. The dog will also get regular (weekly) training from Bale's Buddies professionals so that in two years it will be a trained Therapy Dog.

Some children may be scared, this is part of the reason to get a dog; to help children to become more confident. Some children may have had upsetting experiences and have a fear of dogs (or another animal). The school dog will only be in contact with children whose parents have given their permission. However, the therapy dogs training will teach them to be calm and gentle around children; they have a very loving and gentle nature. Experience and research have shown that, with proper guidance and handling, children can learn to overcome their fear of animals and grow in respect and appreciation for them.

The head, governors, senior leaders, teaching staff and support staff are normally all supportive. Parent feedback is normally extremely positive with a handful of who may be less sure. Research shows the positive impact that School Therapy Dogs can bring to the education environment. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47655600 https://www.weareteachers.com/dogs-in-the-classroom/

The dog will be toileted off-site and the adult responsible will clean up after it.

The dog will be a ‘hypoallergenic’ breed so people with allergies will not be affected. The dog will have all the proper care in terms of inoculations and anti flea treatments. Children will be taught to always wash their hands after any contact with the dog.

There will be a quiet, child-free space for the dog to rest for significant periods during the school day. There will be a structured and planned timetable for the dog. This will be planned and adapted by Bale's Buddies professional trainers. The dog’s wellbeing will never be compromised.

Depending on the School, some areas of school may be unsuitable for a dog; it will not go to these spaces.

The school understands the costs associated with the dog and who will be responsible for them. The cost will not come out of school funds.

The school will make appropriate insurance arrangements to cover the dog and its activities in school. The insurance for the dog’s health will be covered by its owner.

The school will have a detailed risk assessment.

There will be a back-up plan in place to care for the dog when it cannot attend school (eg if he/she is unwell).

To begin with the dog will be on a minimal timetable as it will be being trained; some of this training will take place in school. In the future, the dog may be in the school playground to greet the children, it may be in class when children are reading, it may support individual children if there is a need, it may be outside for some playtimes, PE lessons and any forest school sessions. It may join after-school club and breakfast club, although not when snacks are being eaten. ​

The owner of the dog will look after it; the owner is normally a member of the teaching staff.

No, the dog will be there as a Therapy Dog. When the dog first arrives it is likely to cause much excitement but school and all staff are focussed on children’s learning. The dog will be there to support this. ​

The dog is an animal and all animals (even children) can bite. However, no Bale's Buddies Therapy Dog has ever bitten a child. School will ensure through careful, considered planning, that this will hopefully never happen. ​ ​

Research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools which include: Cognitive – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game-playing Social – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others Emotional – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts moods, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety Physical – interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses Environmental – a dog in a school increases the sense of a family environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over. Reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on children as well as the dog listening to children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.