Teacher’s Pet takes the biscuit at Lynn school

‘Teacher’s Pet’ took on a whole new meaning when students returning to a Lynn school after the Christmas break were greeted with enthusiastic tail wagging by the newest member of staff.

Yellow Labrador Wren has been appointed Wellbeing Dog at Springwood High School, spending three days a week supporting the mental health needs of staff and students.

Donna Moss, Attendance Officer at Springwood, and Wren’s owner, explained: “She is one of our family pets. We also have Wren’s mother at home, and when she had a litter of puppies, we fell in love with Wren and decided to keep her, so she has grown up alongside her own mum, and in my family unit of husband and three kids.

“This has led to her being very gentle and loving around children, young people, and adults alike.”

Three-year-old Wren now spends Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Attendance Office at Springwood, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. 

“Wren has staff and children that visit her in the school day,” said Mrs Moss. “She has an immediate calming and soothing effect by just being near the children and makes everyone smile when they meet her.

“It encourages the children to open up and talk, and also helps build a good rapport and relationship between us and the children.

“She will also be involved in attendance challenges we do with the children, where she will visit groups of children each week. She will also be involved with one-to-one sessions with children – this could be cuddle time or walking time round the school. 

“This will be used for a variety of reasons – if a child needs calm-down time, talking time, or as a reward to help behaviour, or time to talk about their feelings, or just time to forget their worries and stresses.

“It gives the children something to look forward to in the school day – something to help brighten their day if they are struggling.”

While Springwood is currently the only WNAT school to have a therapy dog, the success of the scheme may mean that others will follow in Wren’s paw prints.

“In my job role, I see a lot of children struggling with mental health, anxiety, and stress, and felt having a wellbeing dog would be beneficial in being a positive step to improve our young children’s mental health in these areas,” continued Mrs Moss.

“The children have been very excited about Wren joining the school, and have said that they look forward to coming to school to see her, and that she makes the school day more fun.

“I’ve also had some children struggling with their mental health that have asked for one-to-one time with Wren, where they can be quiet whilst petting her and talking about their feelings.

“Time with Wren has also been used as a reward or special time for children that sometimes struggle with behaviour, and has also been used to calm children down when they are feeling heightened. It allows them time to relax, reflect, calm down and manage their thoughts and feelings, whilst petting the dog and receiving affection from Wren.”

“This has been an amazing initiative already,” added Executive Headteacher Andy Johnson. “Students are so excited and keen to meet Wren.”