A - Z Parent Guide
Our BNPS Therapy Dogs
What are Animal Assisted Interventions?
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are goal-oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals in health, education, and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains and improved health and wellness.
A therapy dog falls under the umbrella of Animal-assisted interventions. Any working Animal-assisted intervention dog is therefore trained and assessed for a specific role.
What is a Therapy Dog?
Trained Therapy Dogs form part of our wellbeing and engagement approach at BNPS.
In 2022, we welcome our trained Therapy Dog, Wally.
In March this year, Bonnie and Ziggy graduated from the ‘K9 Support Therapy Dog Training’ and have since been inducted to BNPS as our newest staff members. They have been involved in our daily classroom activities and ‘walk and talk’ sessions with individual students and small groups. Both Bonnie and Ziggy are looking forward to continuing to support our students and staff as they settle into their roles.
Research shows that therapy dog programs provide significant benefits for students as the dogs are trained to use their social instincts and learned social skills to provide health, social-emotional and cognitive benefits. Being in contact with a therapy dog calms children, reducing feelings of anxiety and stress and promoting a sense of belonging in school. Our BNPS Therapy Dog will also provide social-emotional support to staff and the wider school community, when and where appropriate.
Wally
Bonnie
Ziggy
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that there may be some families who do not want Wally, Bonnie and Ziggy to work directly with their child, therefore, there is the ability to opt out of this opportunity.
