Mental Health
& Wellbeing update

Dogs Connect

Dogs Connect is another of the formal SEL programs that runs at Bridgewater PS, along with the RRRR's and The Resilience Project that we have discussed over the last month in this Health and Wellbeing column.

SEL is an important part of the development of students’ capacity to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

What is Dogs Connect?

The program aims to connect wellbeing dogs with communities (such as schools) to improve social and emotional wellbeing and overall emotional ‘balance’.

Dogs Connect was first set up in school communities throughout Victoria. They have introduced wellbeing dogs in over 250 schools all around Australia. The schools involved have noted improvement in attendance and an increased openness to learn since their dog joined the community. Students and staff are more engaged, they’re happier, and have noticed less anxiety among their community.

The aim of the program is to create a permanent connection between the school community and their wellbeing dog, which leads to positive emotional and social impacts. This is to help communities think differently about how to achieve wellbeing.

How will the program run at Bridgewater PS?

Poppie, our Dogs Connect dog, officially started at the end of Term 1. Over the course of Term 2, she will gradually increase her time at school as she becomes more comfortable within the school setting. Once in full swing, Poppie will be at school on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, joining the Junior and Senior classrooms at various times. She will also spend time with Mr Lehane in his office when she needs some ‘recharge’ time and time in the yard too.

For more information, or if you have any questions, you can access the Dogs Connect website (below), read the fortnightly Dogs Connect column in our newsletter or reach out to Miss Deane, who’s the coordinator of the program at Bridgewater and Poppie’s owner!

Spending time in the Junior and Senior classrooms

For those wishing to read more about the Dogs Connect Program, follow the link-

https://dogsconnect.net.au

Raising Healthy Minds App

For those looking to support their child more at home with their SEL, there's an excellent app called 'Raising Healthy Minds'. The app is accessible via the following link: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/raising-healthy-minds-child-mental-health