Meet Murphy
Murphy The Wellbeing Dog
To support the wellbeing of students, the Girton Junior School will be introducing a Wellbeing Dog into the school community.
Through “Dogs Connect”, the school has chosen a groodle named Murphy to become an active member of the Junior School. Murphy is currently undergoing training and will enter the school in the coming weeks.
Having a school wellbeing dog can help with student attendance, behaviour, social connection and emotional regulation. We look forward to our Junior School students growing up together with Murphy!
The relevant school policy for School Dogs can be accessed via Astra: https://astra.girton.vic.edu.au/send.php?id=180062
Life before Girton
I was born in Cobram at Murray River Puppies, my mother was Bindi, a black Standard Groodle and my father, Archie was a dark brown Standard Poodle. I have five brothers and sisters from my litter. I left Cobram at 10 weeks to move to Bendigo to live with Mr and Mrs Vernon and Ruby. My carers are working with the team at Dogs Connect to help me learn how to become a Wellbeing Dog at Girton. I look forward to every Monday night as I attend Puppy School and have made friends with Pickles and Oreo.
What I am most looking forward to at Girton?
I am looking forward to getting to know the staff and students. I am keen to use all of the skills I am learning through the Dogs Connect Program to become a valued member of the Girton Community. I will have a Dogs Connect bandana on when I am working at school, I also have a bandana which reads, ‘I need space.’ This will assist everybody to know when to leave me as I am on a break. The Girton Community will be able to assist me by not yelling out to me as this will confuse me when there are lots of people around.
What I have achieved
I have already mastered sit, down and wait. I am a very quick learner and am happy to do lots of practise, particularly when there are lots of treats as rewards. I do like my dog food, meal times are my favourite time of day. I am learning to relax around noise and not to get excited when I greet people. By ignoring me when I approach you, you help me to relax and not get over excited, this is part of my training. I have also been working with Mr and Mrs Vernon to ensure visitors do not use ‘baby talk’ with me a high pitched, excited voice can make me overstimulated. I work well when I am given space and people use calm voices with me. It is important to wait for me to come to you, rather than people rushing at me. I love a pat, but I don’t feel relaxed if I have lots of people trying to get to me at once! I have been doing pen training to teach me how to sit quietly in your classes and observe from a distance. Even when I come to school, I have a bag which will go to classes with me. This bag will have my bed, water bowl and of course my favourite toys to keep me busy when my student friends are getting their work done!
My favourite hobbies?
I enjoy playing with my toys, I love my stuffed monkey and my rubber pink pig that oinks! I love to snuggle up to people when they are on the floor. I also enjoy learning how to walk on my lead and having a good sniff around the place! I love catching up with my friends at Puppy School and play dates with other pups. I am very social and enjoy the company of other dogs. I am a snuggly pup and enjoy a good cuddle!
My goals outside of school
I am looking forward to visiting the beach soon, and enjoying my first swim. I am also looking forward to visiting the lake over the summer holidays where I might try a bit of paddle boarding. I am going to ask for a life jacket for Christmas. As soon as I am fully vaccinated, I plan on exploring the local walking tracks and parks, I am sure I will be happy to stop at a café or two! I may even run into a Girton student or two as I explore Bendigo.
