School Dogs Course 
Module 1: Introduction to Dogs in Schools

Lesson 1: Overview of the benefits of School Dogs for students and staff.

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Welcome to the first lesson in our School Dog Preparation and Knowledge Course. In this lesson we will be exploring the growing trend of school dogs in the UK. Over the past few years, the presence of dogs in educational settings has seen a significant increase, as more schools recognise the potential benefits of having dogs in their communities. These dogs serve various roles, including therapy dogs, reading dogs, and even dogs that are based full-time in the school building.

  • Dogs in schools help reduce stress and anxiety for students and staff.

  • Interaction with dogs can improve emotional regulation and social skills in students.

  • Teachers and staff report improved morale and job satisfaction when dogs are present.

  • Dogs provide non-judgmental support that can help students open up emotionally.

Welcome to Lesson 1 of our course on school dogs in education! In this video, we’ll be exploring how dogs are becoming an exciting and increasingly popular addition to UK schools. You may be wondering, "A dog in a school?" but by the end of this course, you might just be asking how schools ever managed without them! School dogs are making a significant impact on student well-being and staff morale, from providing emotional support to creating a more inclusive and positive environment. In this first section, we’ll dive into the rising popularity of school dogs, the benefits they bring to both students and staff, and the important things to consider when introducing a dog to a school setting. Let’s get started and discover why more schools are choosing to welcome these amazing four-legged companions!

Reflect and Review

Let’s take a moment to consolidate what we’ve explored in this opening lesson about the growing role of school dogs in UK education settings.

The Emergence of School Dogs as a Mainstream Support Strategy

School dogs are no longer a novelty—they're quickly becoming a respected and valued part of the school landscape. Whether offering emotional support, assisting with literacy, or helping students regulate their behaviour, dogs are providing multi-dimensional benefits that align closely with the goals of trauma-informed, inclusive education.

Their rise comes at a time when schools are under increasing pressure to support not just academic outcomes but also the emotional and psychological well-being of pupils. This shift in priorities—especially in light of growing concerns around anxiety, stress, and disconnection in children and young people—has led many UK educators and school leaders to consider more holistic, relational approaches to learning. The presence of a well-trained dog, when introduced thoughtfully, is one such approach.

Recapping the Key Roles of School Dogs

We’ve covered three main categories of school dogs:

  • Therapy Dogs, who are trained to provide comfort and emotional regulation, especially for pupils experiencing trauma, anxiety, bereavement, or other challenges.

  • Reading Dogs, who help children build confidence in literacy skills by providing a calm, non-judgemental audience—encouraging even reluctant readers to engage more freely.

  • Full-Time School Dogs, who form a consistent part of the school community, supporting relationship-building, attendance, behaviour management, and a general sense of safety and belonging.

Each role brings distinct benefits and requires tailored planning, training, and integration strategies. It’s important to reflect on how these different roles might suit the specific needs and context of your school.

Why This Matters in a UK Context

In the UK, the challenges facing education are complex. Increased levels of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), the rise in emotional-based school avoidance, and post-pandemic anxiety in students have pushed mental health support to the forefront. While external services such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) remain stretched, many schools are looking inward for proactive, embedded support strategies.

In this context, the school dog offers something both powerful and practical: an accessible, consistent, and relational source of emotional support that aligns with the nurturing values promoted by the DfE's guidance on mental health and behaviour in schools (2018, updated 2022). Importantly, this approach is also gaining traction among Ofsted inspectors, who are increasingly recognising the impact of school-wide strategies that promote emotional regulation, safety, and well-being.

A Balanced Perspective: Benefits and Challenges

While the benefits are clear—reduced anxiety, improved behaviour, stronger community spirit—it’s just as important to take a realistic and responsible approach. We touched on some of the potential challenges today, including:

  • Health concerns: allergies, phobias, and zoonotic diseases

  • Risk management: safeguarding, behaviour management, and handling incidents like jumping, biting, or toileting

  • Ethical treatment of the dog: ensuring the animal’s welfare is prioritised at all times, in line with the Animal Welfare Act (2006)

  • Staff confidence and workload: making sure school staff are supported, trained, and not overburdened with dog-related responsibilities

Introducing a dog into school life should never be a gimmick. It must be a carefully planned decision, based on the needs of your school community and underpinned by training, policies, and ongoing review.

Summary of points from Lesson 1:

  • The presence of dogs in UK schools is growing, fuelled by strong evidence around mental health and emotional well-being.

  • Dogs can support learning, improve behaviour, and help children regulate emotionally—especially when integrated into daily routines.

  • There are different roles a school dog can play (therapy, reading, full-time presence), each with distinct aims and requirements.

  • The benefits are compelling, but successful integration depends on robust planning, training, safeguarding, and a deep commitment to animal welfare.

  • School dogs can form a meaningful part of a trauma-informed and relational education approach, but only when their inclusion is purposeful, ethical, and well managed.

As you continue through the course, we’ll build on this foundation to explore the science, logistics, and best practice guidance for ensuring a school dog truly enhances the school experience—for pupils, staff, and the dog alike.

Paws for Thought

Before introducing a school dog into the environment, there are several important factors to consider. Take a moment to reflect on these key questions:

How will we ensure the safety and comfort of all students and staff?

Consider all students who may have allergies, phobias, or other sensitivities to dogs. How will you accommodate these individuals in the school environment and routines?

Additionally, how will you manage the dog’s interactions to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort?

What training and preparation will be required for the dog and staff?

A well trained dog is essential for a positive experience. What kind of training will the dog undergo, and how will staff be prepared to manage and integrate the dog into the school setting?

Consider the specific needs of your school and how the dog will be introduced to the community.

What impact will the dog have on the overall school environment?

Think about how the introduction of a school dog will affect the school’s culture and routine. Will it enhance the school atmosphere, or are there potential disruptions? How will you measure the success of the dog’s presence in supporting both student wellbeing and the general school environment?

These are just a few of the questions you’ll need to consider as you plan the introduction of a school dog. Reflecting on these questions will help you create a thoughtful and balanced approach that benefits everyone in the school community.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

Let’s quickly recap the key points we’ve covered:

  1. The Growing Trend of School Dogs: The presence of therapy dogs, reading dogs, and full-time school dogs in schools across the UK is on the rise. These dogs are increasingly seen as valuable tools in supporting student wellbeing, enhancing emotional support, and improving engagement.

  2. Benefits and Challenges: While the benefits are clear - reducing anxiety, boosting confidence, and creating a positive school environment - there are important risks and challenges to consider. From allergies and phobias to managing the dog’s behaviour, it’s crucial to plan thoughtfully before introducing a dog into the school setting.

  3. The Balance Needed: The key to success lies in finding a balance that works for all involved - students, staff, the dog handler, and the dog itself. This involves assessing the school’s needs, ensuring proper training, and creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

    Next Steps

As you move forward in this course, keep these key points in mind. In our next lesson, we’ll dive deeper into the specific benefits and risks of school dogs and how you can effectively address these challenges. We'll also explore best practices for introducing a dog into the school community.

In the meantime, we encourage you to reflect on the Paws for Thought questions we’ve covered. Thinking through these points will help you prepare for the next steps in understanding how to introduce a school dog into a setting that works for everyone involved.

We look forward to seeing you in the next lesson, where we’ll continue exploring this exciting and growing trend in schools!

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Lesson 1 Summary Sheet