The benefits of a Wellbeing Dog at school are endless. They can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for a dog can help children grow up more secure and active while providing valuable companionship.
Here at Mont Albert Primary School, we have noticed an increase in the percentage of students who are exhibiting signs of anxiety and other social and emotional concerns.
Research suggests animals can assist the therapeutic setting in the following ways:
Research suggests animals can assist the therapeutic setting in the following ways:
- Animals can teach empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills
- Help individuals develop social skills
- The relationship between therapy animals and the therapist can be a model for a healthy relationship
- The presence of animals is soothing and can more quickly build the therapeutic relationship for children, adolescents and adults
- Patting an animal has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure, lower anxiety and lessen stress
- It has been shown that animals have the potential to lower human anxiety by simply being present
- Self-esteem through the skills and responsibility gained in regard to caring and handing animals.

Mont Albert Primary School is committed to promoting the wellbeing of all students and a Wellbeing Dog may be used to assist with this.
The intentions of the Wellbeing Dog are to try and reduce and alleviate the amount of stress, anxiety and other social and emotional concerns, and develop a sense of belonging within our children at Mont Albert Primary School.
We as a school, are doing everything we can to help lower the impact of these conditions by having a Wellbeing Dog - 'Bonnie' at school.
We know pets are kind, nonjudgmental and a great companion to share and care with. Bonnie will always be your friend.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are dogs now allowed in the school?
Other dogs are allowed on the school grounds as long as they are restrained on a lead.
Where will the dog be during the day?
The Wellbeing Dog will be at school during school hours under the care of its owner (the Principal). The Wellbeing Dog will visit classrooms or spaces around the school as needed during the day. It may also spend time in the Administration area for rests.
What will be the job of the Wellbeing Dog?
Some of the roles of a Wellbeing Dog can include:
Can we feed the Wellbeing Dog?
The Wellbeing Dog must have appropriate access to dog food throughout the workday. It is the responsibility of the Owner to provide portioned food based on the Wellbeing Dog’s age and weight and it is at their discretion to decide how to distribute the food throughout the day. This may be used for positive reinforcement and training, or as a lunch meal. The Wellbeing Dog is not to eat food offered by staff or students unless approval has been given by the Owner. During interactions, the Handler should encourage students and staff not to feed the Wellbeing Dog food.
What if my child is scared or has an allergy to dogs?
The students safety is our highest priority. Before entering any classrooms, the handler will check to see if any child is afraid or allergic to the dog. The handler will request permission from the teacher whether to enter the classroom or not and will stay for the classroom visit if requested by the teacher. The Dog will not be left alone with any student at any time and all of the students in the school will be explicitly taught about safety around dogs prior to being introduced to our Wellbeing Dog. We will enforce the Approach, Ask, Pat, Goodbye method.
Where does the Wellbeing dog go to toilet?
Toileting of the Wellbeing Dog must be done in a way that ensures hygiene is maintained for the wider community. The Wellbeing Dog is not toileted in common areas for student, with student out-of-bounds areas identified for toileting. To ensure that the designated toileting areas do not become unhygienic, the toileting areas will be reticulated, and the Handler is encouraged to alternate locations throughout the day. All 'whoopsies' will be collected and disposed of by the Handler.
Are dogs now allowed in the school?
Other dogs are allowed on the school grounds as long as they are restrained on a lead.
Where will the dog be during the day?
The Wellbeing Dog will be at school during school hours under the care of its owner (the Principal). The Wellbeing Dog will visit classrooms or spaces around the school as needed during the day. It may also spend time in the Administration area for rests.
What will be the job of the Wellbeing Dog?
Some of the roles of a Wellbeing Dog can include:
- Being with individuals or small groups of children to provide comfort.
- Going for a walk by identified children to reduce their anxiety.
- Joining classroom sessions to listening to children’s speeches or reading.
- Supporting students in any emotional situation.
- Being taken on lead for walks during recess/lunchtimes.
Can we feed the Wellbeing Dog?
The Wellbeing Dog must have appropriate access to dog food throughout the workday. It is the responsibility of the Owner to provide portioned food based on the Wellbeing Dog’s age and weight and it is at their discretion to decide how to distribute the food throughout the day. This may be used for positive reinforcement and training, or as a lunch meal. The Wellbeing Dog is not to eat food offered by staff or students unless approval has been given by the Owner. During interactions, the Handler should encourage students and staff not to feed the Wellbeing Dog food.
What if my child is scared or has an allergy to dogs?
The students safety is our highest priority. Before entering any classrooms, the handler will check to see if any child is afraid or allergic to the dog. The handler will request permission from the teacher whether to enter the classroom or not and will stay for the classroom visit if requested by the teacher. The Dog will not be left alone with any student at any time and all of the students in the school will be explicitly taught about safety around dogs prior to being introduced to our Wellbeing Dog. We will enforce the Approach, Ask, Pat, Goodbye method.
Where does the Wellbeing dog go to toilet?
Toileting of the Wellbeing Dog must be done in a way that ensures hygiene is maintained for the wider community. The Wellbeing Dog is not toileted in common areas for student, with student out-of-bounds areas identified for toileting. To ensure that the designated toileting areas do not become unhygienic, the toileting areas will be reticulated, and the Handler is encouraged to alternate locations throughout the day. All 'whoopsies' will be collected and disposed of by the Handler.

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