Dogs Connect

Welcome back to our staff member: Sunnie.

We are excited to have Sunnie back on campus as part of the Dogs Connect program in our school. This is a whole school wellbeing program which will see the Sunnie support students in some very specific spaces. Our school wellbeing dog, Sunnie, is a much loved and important member of our community. Sunnie is very gradually remembering his routine in the new year. We are working with staff and students to follow our rules:

1: You say Hello to the person, not the dog.

2: We give lots of space when passing the dog.

3: We keep moving and don’t stand around and stare.

 The Dogs Connect program will support us in implementing this very gradually, thoroughly, and considerately. Sunnie is only engaging in our Inclusion Hub, Wellbeing rooms and some year 7 and 8 classes currently. We would also like to assure the community that this program will not involve anyone who does not wish to be involved, and that we have made a sound risk assessment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students with allergies and/or fears. We know that our wellbeing dog, Sunnie, will have a really positive impact on many people in our community, and we acknowledge and respect that connection with our wellbeing dog will be offered on a great variety of levels. Our wellbeing dog will get back into his routine slowly and continue to follow the same area rules as he did last year. 

If you have any further questions, concerns, or would like more information about our risk assessment and map of where Sunnie may attend on the grounds, please contact Monica Godde on monica.godde@education.vic.gov.au.