Bertie-Buddy
I am writing to let you know of some exciting news for Wardle Academy! On Thursday 6th January 2022 we will be welcoming a furry member of staff to the team; Bertie Buddy, our mentor dog.
Bertie Buddy was born on 11th October 2021in a lovely home in North Yorkshire. He is a Cockerpoo.
Cockerpoos are a breed of dog that are known for their loving nature and intelligence. This gives them the right temperament to be a mentor dog. They are also hypoallergenic, as they have a low-shedding, low dander coat. Bertie will receive full training by the Dog Mentor, Jenny Duckworth (www.thedogmentor.co.uk). Bertie will live with Mr and Mrs Giles. When in the academy he will be based in Mrs Giles’ Office.
Mr and Mrs Giles will be training Bertie Buddy to become a Mentor Dog. So he will, in time, become an integral part of our Academy family.
What are the benefits of a Mentor Dog?
• Cognitive – companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem-solving and game playing.
• Social – a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, encourages responsibility, wellbeing and focused interaction with others.
• Emotional – a mentor dog improves self-esteem, acceptance from others and lifts mood, often provoking laughter and fun. Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety.
• Physical – interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists with pain management, gives motivation to move, walk and stimulates the senses.
• Environmental – a dog in a school increases the sense of a family environment, with all of the above benefits continuing long after the school day is over.
• Reading – reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dog’s presence has on students as well as the fact that a dog will listen to students read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children’s enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence to read aloud.
The Academy website and social media pages will publish pictures of Bertie Buddy as he grows so that everyone can enjoy his development. We understand that it is not possible for all families to have a family dog and therefore we hope that this is an opportunity for students to have a ‘share’ in a dog, gain from a relationship and contact on a regular basis and have a friend for life.
The mentor dog will work with a variety of classes, small groups and in a 1:1 setting. We hope the students will gain a great deal of enjoyment from having a mentor dog and that he will become an established part of life at Wardle Academy.
We hope you will join us in welcoming Bertie Buddy to the Wardle Academy family and embrace all that he will have to offer.
We understand that some students might be frightened of animals and that some parents may not want their child to have contact with our dog, so please feel free to contact the academy via email (info@wardleacademy.co.uk) to let us know.
