Meet Luna

Luna is our resident school dog and is an integral member of the community at Dysart!

Luna lives with and comes to school with Steph. She has been chosen because she has a friendly temperament and is socialised with children of all ages.

There is lots of research that shows that some children respond well to animals. Spending time with animals can help pupils with their learning, as well as managing their emotions and developing better communication skills.

Here at Dysart, Luna visits a number of pupils as part of their daily routine as well as during times when they are finding things difficult.

 

Dysart School Dog

Our school dog helps support the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils in the following areas:

Emotional wellbeing – Interacting with dogs can help improve self-esteem, acceptance and lift moods. They are a buddle of fun and we hope will often result in laughter and fun.

It is known that dogs have the ability to relieve anxiety.

Social & Communication – Dogs can make amazing listeners, and therefore are great companions. Dogs love human interaction, are highly intelligent and are able to mimic simple intensive interaction and turn taking games. Luna’s non-judgemental interaction can support increase your child’s confidence to initiate communication.

Physical – Petting Luna provides tactile stimulation and therefore will engage all senses. Like our pupils, our dogs will require regular movement breaks and will need activity/games/ walks outside. This will motivate the children to get active with her and in turn will prepare them to be ‘ready to learn’ when in the classroom.

 

We have liaised with other Special Needs schools within Orchard Hill College & Academies Trust that are already using dogs to support their pupils and a detailed, common-sense, risk assessment has been written that safeguards both pupils and our dogs. Families are always consulted prior to any individual pupil working closely with our school dog. Luna has undergone structured obedience classes.