Introducing Oakley

Oakley is a 4 year old Border Collie who is training to become a certified therapy dog. It is important to note that therapy dogs are not service dogs. A service dog is an assistance dog that focuses on its owner to the exclusion of all else. The role of a therapy dog is to react and respond to people and their environment, under the direction and guidance of the owner. For example, an individual might be encouraged to gently pat or talk to the dog to teach sensitive touch and help them be calm.

In recent years, the benefits of having therapy dogs in schools and classrooms has been explored and studies have found that the dogs can have a profoundly positive impact in these environments. The benefits of having therapy dogs in the classroom include:

• Decreases anxiety and stress in students, and improve school attendance
• Gains in confidence
• Decreases in learner anxiety behaviours resulting in improved learning outcomes, such as increases in reading and writing levels
• Positive changes towards learning and improved motivation
• Enhanced relationships with peers and teachers due to experiencing trust and unconditional love from a therapy dog. This in turn helps students learn how to express their feelings and enter into more trusting relationships. The therapy dog is also there to offer friendship and a shoulder to lean on for students.

Oakley can be found most days in the Performing Arts room and/or out on the oval at recess and lunchtime. Within the classroom, Oakley offers support to all students. Oakley has been trained to ‘check in’ with the students. She does this by approaching individuals and ‘tapping’ them. Tapping involves Oakley lightly touching the student with her paw (similar to a dog offering to shake paws/hands). This is her way of asking the student “Are you OK?” The student can then respond by ignoring her if they don’t want her help (she will then move on to the next person) OR holding her paw or scratching her under the chin, if they wish for her to stay. This is a cue for Oakley to then focus on this person and stay with them. Oakley can also be directed by me, to approach and stay with particular students.

When out on the oval, Oakley is there to be a friend to everyone. She absolutely loves it when her school friends come by for a pat or to throw her ball. 

Oakley’s training continues and as she learns new skills, we will publish it here so you can follow her journey and understand her role at Great Ryrie Primary School.

If you have any concerns about your child interacting with Oakley while at school, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Peta Murray and Oakley