Meet Maggie, the four-legged furry friend who has just joined the Oatlands Infant School team.
After successfully completing an intense training program, Maggie passed her final certification to join the school as a ‘Therapy Dog’.
Her duties will include welcoming families into school, helping when children (and staff) are upset and need a friend, listening to readers and spreading smiles whenever she walks.
Headteacher Christopher Harrison said,
“Our school’s core value is happiness, and Maggie’s role in school is to spread smiles far and wide.
“We want our children to feel welcome and loved here in school, and for school to feel like home away from home.
“Maggie will be a big part of this continuing journey.”
Studies have shown that animals can act as a source of comfort during times of distress.
They lower peoples’ blood pressure, ease loneliness, encourage exercise, ease stress and support those suffering from depression.
Having Therapy Dogs in schools can also help children to feel more comfortable around pets through meeting them in a safe space with trusted adults.
Children, with consent from their parents and carers, will work with Maggie on a regular basis throughout the week and she pops around school or snoozes in the Headteacher’s office in her Oatlands jumper.
They will have opportunities to take Maggie for walks in the school’s Community Garden and to share their learning with her in groups and individually.
Harrogate Spring Water to appeal refusal of bottling plant expansion
£350,000 rebuild approved for collapsed wall in Knaresborough
Poets take centre stage in Ripon for National Poetry Day
Runners for Great North Run raise over £17,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Sir Gareth Southgate helps raise £23,000 for Yorkshire children’s hospice
Driver jailed after 130mph police chase ends in Knaresborough
Historic Harrogate hotel put up for sale for £1.45million
Harrogate pupils uncover school's past as Victorian hospital
Harrogate nursery celebrates 'strong standard' after Ofsted inspection
Henshaws launches urgent £10,000 appeal following water damage
UK Foo Fighters to perform at Your Harrogate Stray bonfire and fireworks
Ripon detectorist calls Bayeux Tapestry a 'medieval stitch-up'
Valley Gardens among top winners at Yorkshire in Bloom awards
New opening date revealed for Harrogate bookshop
Harrogate toy retailer cuts prices every time Town striker scores
North Yorkshire hospices warn of cuts and closures as funding crisis deepens
Diesel prices rise above £2 a litre in Harrogate area
New woodland sauna and cold plunge opens in Harrogate
Brackenfield School in Harrogate praised by inspectors ahead of 50th anniversary
Harrogate hotel chef shortlisted for 'Oscars of hospitality'
