Four-legged friend set to provide pastoral care to staff and pupils at Portadown-based primary school

With schools returning across the province after the summer break, the four-legged friend has already proved a big hit among children and staff at Edenderry Primary School in Portadown, who are looking forward to seeing the positive difference the dog can make around the school in the months and years ahead.

Edenderry PS said the dog, named Tally, will play an important role in supporting the wellbeing of children across their entire school community.

Research suggests that therapy dogs can help to reduce anxiety and stress, support emotional regulation, increase confidence and self-esteem, encourage communication and social interaction, promote positive behaviour, improve engagement with learning, provide comfort and reassurance during difficult situations, as well as creating a calm, positive and supportive school environment.

Jill McClelland at the school will be Tally's primary carer and handler. Over the coming school year, she will undertake specialist training through Assistance Dogs NI to ensure that Tally receives the highest standard of care and is able to work safely and effectively with the pupils at the school.

Speaking about the development, the school's principal, Stephen Blevins, said: “Our head of pastoral care Miss McClelland brought up the idea about a therapy dog last spring and the benefits the animal would bring to the school community.

“We did our research for two or three months, which included a trip to Mitchell House School in Belfast and we saw the positive impact their therapy dog Raia had on pupils and staff.

“We received advice from the staff at Mitchell House and we made a decision to go for it after further conversations and advice from Assistance Dogs NI.

“The cost of introducing and maintaining a professionally trained therapy dog is a significant investment, but thankfully, the board of governors at the school were keen to proceed with it.

“Every dog in the litter had names beginning with the letter 't', so after going through the list with the likes of Teddy already being taken, we chose Tally.”

Staff at the school are also being trained to ensure the therapy dog is handled appropriately and that pupils and the animal can interact safely.

And judging by the welcome the dog has already received, it seems the newest member of the school community has already plenty of friends to choose from.

Mr Blevins added: “Tally has already been introduced to every class and the staff as they all came to the main hall to meet her. As you can imagine, everyone is really excited to meet her.

“She has also kept me great company in my office since we've returned to school.

“Miss McClelland and Tally have their own training on a Friday, with myself and three other staff members having our own training.

“Tally will be trained until she reaches a certain level where we feel she is ready to properly engage with our pupils.”