Winnie-The Dog Mentor
Gender: Female
Breed: Working Cocker Spaniel
Date of Birth: 28.6.2019
Meaning of Winnie: Fair one, smooth, soft, happiness, or fair and pure.
A message from Winnie:
Hello, my name is Winnie and I work at Dallam. I am part of Miss Pickavance's family and can normally be found in the year 6 classroom. I am very good at making everyone feel welcome at Dallam and helping children to feel calm and reassured. I really enjoy visiting children in classes and like it when they help to care for me and walk me around the school grounds. I especially like it when I am given one of my special doggy treats! My favourite thing in school is listening to stories and singing.
Why can a school dog be beneficial?
• Cognitive development – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving, game-playing and can improve reading skills.
• Emotional development – a school dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety.
• Physical development – interaction with a pet reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses.
• Environmental benefits – a dog in a school contributes towards the creation of home style environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over.
• Social benefits – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing, developing social skills and focused interaction with others.
Winnie's Rules:
- Always ask an adult if you want to stroke me.
- Approach me in a calm way; I don’t like loud noises.
- Please don’t eat around me.
- Wash your hands once you have touched me.
- Make sure you don’t drop things on the floor as I might get hurt.
- Please don’t disturb me when I am sleeping.
Winnie’s certificate
Visit from Dog’s Trust
Useful information to keep yourself safe
A day in the life of a Dog Mentor:
Winnie's life outside of Dallam Primary School:
Pictures of Winnie in school:
Winnie promoting the school values
Winnie enjoying playtime
Winnie playing in the toy car
Fun in Cherry Class
