Meet Archie, he is our school Dog Mentor.

My name is Archie, and I am Unstone Schools Federation Dog Mentor. I am a Shih-tzu and I live with Mrs Sutton and her family. I passed my Dog Mentor Programme assessment with flying colours, and I have achieved the Gold Award!  My role as school dog is challenging and varied, but I feel that I am more than up to the task. I love being around people and making them happy.

Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of dogs in schools and evidence indicates that areas of potential benefits include:

• 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.

Archie is part of school life and loves to greet the children as they come into school. He loves to be taken a walk on the field and enjoys playtime playing with the children and his toys. He participates in the children’s learning and has stories read to him.