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."
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What is The Dog Mentor Programme?
Over the past 11 years, implementation of The Dog Mentor Programme in Primary and Secondary schools across the UK has proven to have a significant impact on many children’s lives: significantly improving emotional and mental health, wellbeing, communication skills, behaviour and empathy.
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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, but when pupils understand the importance of caring for the school dog and are engaged in this, the benefits for both the dogs and pupils is undeniable. The Dog Mentor Programme will provide the necessary training, guidance and support to embed this programme in your school, as is clear with the number of schools running The Dog Mentor Programme throughout the UK!
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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.
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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!​
Find out More About The Dog Mentor Programme with Bella and Ruby
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
Who Are We?
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.​
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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.
UK-WIDE 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!
