We welcome 'Fred' as the newest member of The Stoke Poges School team. Fred is a Cavapoochon and has been chosen for his calm and child-friendly temperament and hypoallergenic hair.

Extensive research has shown that ‘Pet therapy’ is widely accepted as benefiting children’s well-being and communication skills. Studies have shown that the presence of companion animals can improve the wellbeing of children and lower the rate of anxiety simply by making the environment happier, more enjoyable and less forbidding.

Dogs are increasingly being used in schools with great success and some of you may have seen in the media that they are now being used in some hospitals and care homes as the emotional health benefits they bring are so vast. Fred lives with our Business Manager Mrs Sheehan and is gradually being introduced to school life. 

Fred’s main place of residence will be Mrs Palmer and Ms Sheehan’s office, which is secure and separate from the classrooms. He will be kept on a short lead when he is around the school and will always be with a member of staff.

You can read Fred's latest blog about life in school, here: Paws for Thought