Therapy Dog

Therapy Dog

Leo

Hello Kingswood Community, 

For those new to our school this year, you may have seen Leo and I wandering around our yard, or heard your children talking about ‘Leo’ and wondered who we are. I am a teacher and coordinator of the Tutoring Learning Initiative at Kingswood and Leo is my family dog. Together, we are also in training to become the first fully certified Therapy Dog and Handler team at our school. 

Last year our wonderful community made a significant contribution towards the Therapy Dog program by participating in a Colour Run event at Chadwick Oval. These funds are being used towards the extensive training that Leo and I are completing and his associated costs. We are enrolled in the 3-day Level Two Certification later this month. 

Learning to be a Therapy Dog is much like learning to be a student at school! Leo needs to learn appropriate manners and socialisation behaviours to work in a school setting. Similar to our Prep students, Leo has been participating in a transition program since Term 4 last year. 

Initially he came to school for half a day a few times per week, and we have worked on building his stamina to be at school all day. He worked up to being able to work alternate full days by the end of Term 4, but just like many of us, he found the first few weeks of Term 1 very tiring! After some adjustment, Leo reached a significant milestone last week, by being able to  happily be at school all day, every day! 

Leo is a Bordoodle - Bolder Collie Poodle Cross - and will turn 2 next week! He enjoys the company of our students, staff and families. Our students, including our new Preps, are all becoming very good at asking if they can pat or ‘say hello’ to Leo before touching him. They are aware this is necessary for both their own and Leo’s safety. 

Currently he attends small group tutoring sessions with me and also completes yard duty a few times each week. For our senior students, a highlight this term has also been Leo’s attendance at Senior Mindfulness Club on alternating Thursdays. 

The benefit of a Therapy Dog in our school setting is that he provides social and emotional support to our students and staff. We know that if our students are not happy, they are not ready to learn. I have the privilege of witnessing each and every day the smiles that Leo brings to faces and the calming effect of patting his soft coat. I look forward to the growing bond our students develop with Leo and the significant role he will play in our Kingswood community. 

Kara Bogicevic 

Tutor and Therapy Dog Handler