Meet Arlo – our much-loved wellbeing dog.
In 2021, Gordon Primary School welcomed a four-legged, very good-natured staff member, Arlo. He is our school Groodle who works 4 days a week supporting the whole school wellbeing. Arlo spends his days in classrooms and the yard, listening to students read, keeping them company during learning, providing opportunities for comforting rubs and pats and being a friend to everyone.
Arlo and our staff were initially supported with training and guidance from the Dogs Connect Program (www.dogsconnect.et.au) which ensured our introduction of a wellbeing dog was successful.
Our experience with Arlo has been very positive. We have seen how Arlo helps our students with different social and emotional problems, he helps build skills of empathy, as well as our values of respect, responsibility and resilience. We believe our attendance, wellbeing and engagement in learning have all increased with Arlo’s assistance.
Wellbeing dogs are now in over 100 schools. Students and staff are happier, and they have noticed less anxiety among their community. There is increasing evidence about how a well-trained dog can help in a whole range of settings. Scientific evidence shows that being near a dog can reduce stress and anxiety and decrease the heart rate.
For children, animals can help with emotional regulation, social connection and communication. They can help engage students in many curriculum areas by supporting children in feeling less self-conscious than they may feel around teachers and peers.
In adults, dogs can help with trauma, anxiety, the escalation cycle, leadership and communication. They can build empathy, awareness of others and self, increase social regulation and decrease reactivity.
Everyone loves having Arlo on site and we welcome you to come and say hi to him next time you’re visiting!
