Dog becomes a classroom assistant

[Honey]

A playful puppy chewing up your paper was always one excuse for failing to produce your homework.


But one school is proving that dogs can be a pupil's best friend when it comes to getting their work done.
Staff at Rough Hay Primary School, in Wednesbury, West Midlands, have introduced a nine-month-old puppy into lessons to teach the children about responsibility. Scroll down for more...
Following the lead: Springer spaniel Betty helps children at Rough Hay with their schoolwork





They believe their springer spaniel Betty encourages youngsters to be more considerate and helps them to communicate better with their peers.
Child development experts have praised the scheme - the first of its kind in Britain - as an "excellent idea".
Mark Klekot, headmaster of the 270-pupil school, said: "It doesn't distract them at all. Surprisingly it does quite the opposite and helps them calm down so they can learn more.
"She sits in nine different classes and you can always tell which one she's in because the children are so calm.
"As teachers we try to be there for all the children but inevitably it can get very busy and sometimes a child feels they can't talk to someone.
"It's at these times that they talk to Betty and feel she's listening to them and paying them attention.
"We have four autistic children at the school and she's especially helpful to them.
"They find it easier sometimes to deal with teachers through Betty."
June McNicholas, a psychologist in animal and human health, said: "I am very pleased to hear that a headteacher is enlightened enough to recognise the value of pet interaction in the classroom.
"Children often find them easier to relate to - the world of grown-ups is often quite confusing. "They know that animals will not judge them, will not 'break friends' with them, and will not tell tales."

You're just a teacher's pet: Dog becomes a classroom assistant | the Daily Mail

[McJag]

I think this is a wonderful idea.

[BoogsBun]

My mom worked in a nursing home that had animal aides. It had about 15-20 cats, and about 5-10 dogs that lived in the nursing home 24/7. She said that it made a world of difference in some of the patients quality of life. You would see a double amputee out in his wheelchair playing fetch with a dog in the courtyard, the little old lady in her afghan-covered lap telling her life story to a cat. I think pets make a world of difference for anyone, young or old.

[DitaPage*]

Aww thats great!

[litupgirl]

How freaking cute! I wish I could bring mine to work.

[Jessica]

damn cute puppy

mine local library has summer reading program with rehab therapy dogs

children read to the dogs

this helps their reading skills and speech skills

[Honey]

^ That's sweet. Dogs don't let you down

[BoogsBun]

I read something years ago about a "pet study". It said something along the lines of, that if you spent 10 minutes petting a cat, your blood pressure lowers 10-20 points.

[Reptillycus]

This is great. Many people are happier when they are around animals.