THERAPY DOGS IN SCHOOLS
The Dog Mentor Programme Kent
The Dog Mentor Programme is a specialist school dog training programme. Since 2013, the Dog Mentor Programme has been implemented in over 500 schools across the UK, with more than 600 'Dog Mentor dogs' providing invaluable wellbeing, stress-reduction and social support to students and staff alike.
We have dog mentors in several schools in Kent in both Primary and Secondary schools. We've enjoyed hearing the impact our dog mentor training has had in these schools.
Countless times, staff at the schools we've worked in have emphasised how integral their 'Dog Mentor dogs' have become to their teaching environment, filling a vital role as therapy dogs in schools.
"While the mental health benefits for students is clear, it's imperative the dogs benefit from the relationship too, which is why the Dog Mentor Programme prioritises the wellbeing of the dogs and how they should be treated, which ultimately improves empathy and understanding."
What is The Dog Mentor Programme?
Since 2013, The Dog Mentor Programme has shown significant benefits in Primary and Secondary schools across the UK: not only improving communication, emotional and behavioural skills, but also helping pupils learn to effectively manage their mental health, wellbeing and empathy. This is why we're collaborating with the University of Lincoln to explore the benefits of school dogs in educational settings.
Watch our helpful video with Bella and Ruby to find out more about the Dog Mentor Programme.
Dog Welfare - Our Top Priority
Bringing a dog into your school is a big decision and takes commitment which should be carefully understood and planned. At the heart is the safety and wellbeing of the dog. We prioritise a mutually beneficial dynamic for both the dogs and pupils. When pupils understand the importance of caring for the school dog and are engaged in the dog's happiness and welfare, we have seen immense benefits for all parties.
As part of our programme, we carry out thorough assessments to gain insight into each dog’s personality. This helps us determine the best ways to support their well-being in dynamic, often unpredictable environments. These insights feed into a tailored risk assessment, complete with clear controls and mitigation strategies, created specifically for each Dog Mentor team.
With years of experience behind us, we’ve built a deep understanding of how to protect and promote dog welfare and we’re here to help you do the same.
Meet our Founder Jenny
Jenny has been running the Dog Mentor Programme since 2013. She comes from a teaching background alongside running a youth centre and PRU programmes, before taking the leap to re-educate as a dog trainer.
After studying Neuro-linguistic programming, she used her unique combined skills to create the highly effective Dog Mentor Training Programme with the goal to suit all needs for dogs, staff, children and parents.
With her trusted friend Jock at her side, she implemented the Dog Mentor Programme training in schools throughout the UK and into Europe with transformative results. Although Jock is now retired, there are a new batch of Dog Mentors following in his footsteps to bring the Dog Mentor Programme into even more schools across the UK.
What's Included in the Dog Mentor Programme?
The Dog Mentor Programme provides all the necessary training, guidance and support to embed this programme in your school. In the cost of the course, we supply a full risk assessment for your school, teacher resources, ten Dog Mentor pupil booklets, collar, lead and printed coat for your dog. After a full dog assessment and one day course, you and your team will get access to our SharePoint Resources site along with full support from a member of our team for one year. The SharePoint contains parental consent letter templates, pupil exercises, dog training tools and lots more! If you'd like to find out more, don't hesitate to get in touch!
Some of our Dog Mentors in
Kent
Dog Mentor on BBC Radio Kent!
I had such a great time at BBC Kent this morning 🥳 We talked about The Dog Mentor, some of it's impact and the importance of dog welfare.
Moxie swaps her World Book Day outfit for her Dog Mentor uniform
This is Moxie and her owner Holly 🧡 They are both from Balfour Junior School in Chatham, Kent.
Little Belter will make a massive difference in Strood
Belter might only be little but I know that he and his human Dog Mentor team are going to make such a huge difference!
Our Dog Mentor Schools in
Kent
Ditton CE Junior School, Aylesford
Cygnus Academies Trust (Royal Rise Primary), Dartford
Galaxy Trust (Fleetdown Primary School), Dartford
Meopham Community Academy, Gravesend
Rosherville C of E Primary School, Gravesend
Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary School, Wye
Aspire Academy Bexley, Orpington
Bromley Beacon Academy – Bromley Campus, Bromley
Bromley Trust Academy (Midfield Campus), Orpington
Elaine Primary School, Rochester
High Firs Primary School, Swanley
Higham Primary School, Rochester
Horton Kirby C of E Primary School, Dartford
Langley Park Primary Academy, Maidstone
Manor Community Primary School, Swanscombe
Napier Primary Academy, Gillingham
Oakfield Primary Academy (Golden Thread), Dartford
Paddock Wood Primary Academy, Paddock Wood
St Augustine of Canterbury C of E Primary School, Belvedere
Temple Mill Primary School, Rochester
Thames View Primary School, Rainham
The Howard Academy Trust, Chatham
The Malling School, East Malling
The Sittingbourne School, Sittingbourne
Tunstall C of E Primary School, Tunstall, Sittingbourne
Twydall Primary School, Gillingham
University of Kent Academies Trust, Gillingham
Westlands Primary School, Sittingbourne
Willowbank Education, Upstreet, Canterbury
Woodlands Primary School, Tonbridge
Heron Academy (LSEAT), Orpington
Woodside Academy (LSEAT), Bexley
Regis Manor Primary School, Sittingbourne
Swale Academies Trust (Jade Ashcroft), Sittingbourne
Fairford Academy Barnehurst, Bexleyheath
Harris Primary Academy Beckenham, Beckenham
Milestone Academy, New Ash Green
Pelham Primary School, Bexleyheath
Saint George's CofE School, Gravesend
Temple Hill Primary Academy, Dartford
The Hundred of Hoo Academy, Rochester
Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham
Fairview Community Primary School, Gillingham
Harrietsham Church of England Primary School
Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy, Welling
Pelham Primary School, Barnehurst
Peninsula East Primary Academy, Allhallows
Explore all our Dog Mentor Schools
This map shows the current list of Dog Mentor affiliated schools - we are all over the UK!
The Latest From our Blog
We've been busy implementing the Dog Mentor Programme in new schools, as well as visiting over 500+ Dog Mentor Programme Schools who are already seeing the benefits from having a school dog. Have a look at some of the exciting work we've been doing!
