Principal's Page
Kia Ora Friends
This week has again been an exceptionally busy one for me, so the plan is for more photos and fewer words.
A connection to and with animals is important to our well-being as human beings.
Research shows that pets can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, raise blood oxytocin levels, and, in some cases, may reduce direct pain. According to Bayer, people living with dogs are 15 per cent less likely to die from heart disease. Pets also can offer benefits for other human health challenges.
Pets can influence our emotional state, our sense of security and acceptance, and even our positive outlook on life. It has been documented that grieving children and adults turn to their pets for comfort and that pet ownership eases the symptoms of owners’ depression and anxiety. Dog owners, for example, feel safer and less vulnerable to crime.
Research shows that petting and interacting with companion animals can offer more relaxation and lower stress levels, and these benefits extend to people of all ages. One epidemic rising in society is loneliness, especially among the elderly population. But, numerous studies have demonstrated that residents in nursing homes are more likely to experience a sense of joy, smile, talk, and interact with others when pets are present.
We are seeing them have that same impact on children - especially our youngest ones.
As humans, we have the need to have a purpose and to feel needed. For people living alone and the elderly, pets help them feel needed and give them additional reasons for living.
Animals can offer health benefits in a professional capacity, too. Several studies demonstrate how a dog’s presence increases socialization among people. Courtroom or service dogs help children, and adult abuse victims testify by decreasing their anxiety and lessening sympathetic nervous system arousal. In the same way, pets can help children develop greater empathy and higher self-esteem and increase their participation in social activities.
At Western Heights, we find various ways to provide such opportunities for our children.
Teacher Kelley Head brings her young dog to school weekly, as does Mrs Tipi with her accredited dog Nala.
Now we have another accredited, regular visitor, Teddy, and owner, Sharon. Teddy is a 13-year-old Maltese Terrier - visiting classes each Monday. He is a fully-fledged and very experienced Therapy Dog. His owner, Sharon, is aunt to two children here - Rosha and Roham. Our children love him, and he has had a calming influence on our children. He is also a great inspiration for children to write about.
We had yet another animal visitor this week - Linda and her lamb.
More photos in a future newsletter.
These are just some of the examples of ways we can bring animals positively into the lives of our young ones at Western Heights. We are very grateful to all those who have made this happen.
As always - if you have questions or concerns about anything school-related - email me at macash@mac.com, and I will get back to you asap.
My very best regards to you all,
Ash Maindonald
Principal.
