A therapy dog has been making a “tremendous difference” at a special educational needs school in Bromley.
Mowgli, a seven-month-old Sproker Spaniel has been given the official job title of “Dog Mentor” at Bromley Beacon Academy – and has even been assigned a staff number.
Bromley Beacon Academy caters for Years 9-13 for students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Mowgli is currently training to become a therapy dog and works four days a week at the school.
Amy Fitzgerald, 36, from Bromley is the deputy headteacher for Bromley Beacon Academy and also Mowgli’s carer.
She has worked at the school for 7 years and put forward the idea of introducing a therapy dog.
Amy started researching therapy dogs during lockdown when the school routine was disrupted by the pandemic and anxiety was running high between pupils.
She explained: “Many SEMH students have behavioural challenges related to their medication and social environment.
“I started exploring how a therapy dog could help alleviate student anxiety, aid social development, teach responsibility, and inspire learning.”
She began visiting other SEN schools which used therapy dogs and spent hours researching whether a dog would be a right fit got the school.
Amy hoped Mowgli would “inspire and motivate the most disaffected and disadvantaged students to come to school and be successful.”
After the school’s headteacher and governors approved the idea of a therapy dog she started looking into suitable breeds and local breeders.
She found Mowgli, whose parents are also both therapy dogs.
Amy said: “Mowgli has quickly become an asset to Bromley Beacon Academy
“He is a non-judgemental and calming influence, and the students associate being with him as something positive and rewarding.”
One of Mowgli’s duties includes reading with students as some pupils have literacy difficulties and find reading aloud to Mowgli less intimidating.
He also goes on de-stress walks where the child is responsible for Mowgli, which helps build their self-confidence.
The faculty have observed that the students sometimes voice their feelings to Mowgli when they walk him.
Students often ask for Mowgli when they feel troubled, which alerts the faculty that they need support.
Since Mowgli joined the team, behaviour disorder incidents and attendance have improved considerably.
Amy has been praised for her commitment to the job and for her care for young people with SEMH.
She said: “I love my job.
“These students need a cheerleader behind them in every success and failure.
“I don’t want to stop them from falling, but I will soften the impact.”
Mowgli lives with Amy, her husband James, 36, and their two children, six-year-old Nellie and two-year-old Martie.
Amy says he is also a “loveable and caring family dog”.
Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
For all the latest Education News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
