Our School dog, Tinsel!
Tinsel, our school dog has been part of the Brynllywarch family since 2020. Tinsel is a nine year old crossbreed and has lived with our Wellbeing co-ordinator, Tracy Howells since she was 12 weeks old. Tinsel is used to a busy family home including children, cats, chickens and horses! Tinsel is great with the pupils and staff alike. The presence of Tinsel is uplifting.
Tinsel is one of our most popular members of staff within school and can always be found with an entourage!
The benefits of a school dog are significant:
Physical
Interaction with dogs can help to reduce blood pressure and provide tactile stimulation
Can help motivate learners to become more active and improve levels of overall fitness
Improve ones behaviour and concentration
Reduced stress and improved self-esteem
Increase levels of the chemicals dopamine and serotonin (click here for more info)
Emotional
Children can empathise with animals in a way that they can’t always with other humans thus helping to develop emotional regulation and wellbeing
Spending time with an animal can boost self-esteem
Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as helping to relieve anxiety
Social
A dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion
Encourages responsibility
Improves wellbeing and boosts interaction with others
Can support the development of cooperative play
Helps to teach learners to nurture and respect life
Academic
School dogs are linked with improved attendance
Can help motivate pupils to learn and think
Reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence.
