School Therapy Dog

We are very excited to introduce you to a special member of our team, who we will be seeing in school regularly.

Introducing Nettle!

Nettle is a 7 month old English Springer Spaniel who lives with Mrs Stead and is being slowly introduced over this term to become an integral part of our school community from September 2026.

We will be fundraising this term for Nettle to begin her training with ‘PAWS Therapy Dog Training’. We are really pleased that Nettle will become our new school therapy dog and visit our school to offer therapeutic sessions.

What are the benefits of having a school dog?

A therapy dog is a specially trained and certified dog that works alongside a handler to provide comfort, emotional support, and companionship in settings such as schools. Bringing a therapy dog into a school environment is an increasingly popular initiative designed to support students’ emotional well-being, enhance learning experiences, and foster a positive school climate.

The benefits of a therapy dog in school include:

1. Physical

Students often face stress from academic pressures, social challenges, or personal issues. Interacting with a calm, friendly dog can:

Lower anxiety and stress levels
Improve mood and emotional regulation
Provide comfort during difficult moments
Give motivation to move and walk

2. Improved Social Skills

Therapy dogs can act as a social bridge, encouraging:

Communication among students
Co-operation and teamwork
Responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others
Increased empathy and compassion

3. Enhanced Learning and Engagement

Therapy dogs can be integrated into educational activities:

Encouraging reluctant readers to practice reading aloud, building confidence and literacy skills
Companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem solving and game playing
Increasing motivation and focus
Creating a more relaxed and welcoming learning environment

4. Positive School Climate

A therapy dog can contribute to a more supportive and inclusive atmosphere by:

Promoting kindness and respect
Strengthening connections between students and staff
Increases the sense of a family environment

Will Nettle be properly cared for?

Nettle will be extremely well looked after. She lives with Mrs Stead and her family. Mrs Stead will introduce her to our school environment and she will eventually work with some of our students, but they will always be accompanied by Mrs Stead or an approved staff member.

She will be kept clean and well-groomed at home and students will wash their hands and use antibacterial gel after contact. Should the dog defecate on school premises it will be cleaned up immediately and carefully and suitably disposed of.

Nettle is undergoing a programme of training with Mrs Stead to socialise and teach manners and she is extremely well-behaved. Nettle will begin her PAWS therapy dog training soon and she will be assessed by a PAWS Therapy Dog Assessor.

Whilst Nettle is in school, she will have access to a dog mat and crate in Mrs Stead's office and this is where she will spend most of her time initially, until she becomes used to our staff, students and our premises.

Nettle will visit the vet regularly for all her injections as well as regular check-ups. If Nettle is unwell for any reason, she will stay at home.

My child is scared of dogs

Some children may have had upsetting experiences and have a fear of dogs (or another animal). Nettle will only be in contact with students who are happy to be around her.

Nettles’ training will teach her to be calm and gentle around children; she has 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.

Nettle will be on a lead at all times when moving around the school property and will always be accompanied by Mrs Stead or other approved staff members. Nettle will also be fully insured to carry out her role in our schools. We have completed a comprehensive risk assessment, having considered the processes and risks in having a dog in school.

What do I need to do now?

We are requesting parents let us know if they do not wish for their child to interact and work with Nettle and we request that you email school with this information (sara.stead@wyeschool.org.uk) if you have not completed the parent survey. Please also detail if your child is allergic to dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the legal owner of the dog (Nettle) and who pays for her costs?

The legal owner of Nettle will be Mrs Stead. She will bear the costs associated with owning, insuring and feeding Nettle at home; fundraising will support therapy dog training costs.

The school’s public liability insurance covers Wye School's therapy dog and stringent measures are in place for her, including a robust risk assessment.

Where is the dog from?

Nettle was born on 25th October 2025 and is a KC registered dog. Mrs Stead, the School, and PAWS Therapy Dogs have discussed the appropriateness of Nettle for this role. Nettle is an English Springer Spaniel who has a good temperament, intelligence, and is very sweet and gentle. Nettle has already completed training to include recall, sit, loose lead heelwork, stay commands and crate training.

Has a risk assessment been undertaken?

Yes, we have carefully considered having a dog in school and sought advice from many sources, including other schools that successfully have a school therapy dog.

Who is responsible for training?

Mrs Stead will be the legal owner of Nettle and as a result she will be responsible for her training. The school will be fund-raising for Nettle’s costs towards her becoming Wye School's therapy dog. Appropriate professional training will be obtained through PAWS Therapy Dog Training and Nettle will work towards being trained as a therapy dog with advice/support from Paws Therapy Dogs, The Dogs Trust, and The Kennel Club.

Nettle will have an assessment at 12 months old and annually thereafter completed by PAWS Therapy Dog Training to maintain the agreement that she remains suitably trained to continue to be the schools therapy dog.

How will the dog be toileted to ensure hygiene for all?

In the interest of health and hygiene our school dog will be toileted when taken out for walks around the grounds. Any defecate will be cleared up straight away and disposed of appropriately.

Will the dog be a distraction to pupils’ learning?

The dog will be kept in Mrs Stead's office, secured when needed and a sign will always be on display if Nettle is in any room. Nettle will also attend some meetings with staff to support further socialisation, and support staff well-being, following consultation with staff beforehand.

What if my child fears dogs? Will they be forced to be in the same room as the dog?

The dog will be kept in Mrs Stead's office and Mrs Stead will ensure the school dog only meets with students who are happy to have contact with her, and where there has been no refusal of permission by parents, this will be under strict supervision.

A student will not be forced to be in contact with the dog at any time against their wishes. We are happy to work closely with parents of students who are fearful of dogs, to alleviate their fear and to teach them how to manage this using evidence-based interventions such as graded exposure if requested.

How will the dog’s welfare be considered?

The dog’s welfare will be carefully monitored. Nettle will be walked regularly throughout the day and given free time outside of sessions to rest and play. The dog will be carefully trained over a period of time and will have appropriate access to food, water, treats and toys.

How will this be managed where students have allergies?

Students will not need to touch the dog or be in the same room as the dog at any point which will relieve the possibility of allergic reactions. We already manage several allergies at school and this will be no different for students and adults that are allergic to dogs. Individual needs will always be met and we are happy to work with parents to put additional control measures in place for individual allergies. Families are requested to notify the school of any allergies. Nettle will be regularly groomed to reduce any possibility of allergens. Allergy information will be included in the annual school medical questionnaire.

Will the dog visit school on set days/hours?

Nettle will visit school on a scheduled timetable with Mrs Stead. If for any reason Mrs Stead is absent from school duties, Nettle will also not attend.

We hope you will join us in welcoming Nettle to the Wye School community and embrace all that she has to offer the school.

Personal Development