Mr Peanut comes to school
By Annie Stewart
A NEW member of staff has joined a local primary school – much to the delight of pupils.
Peanut is a one year-old assistance therapy dog who has started work at Brooklands Primary School, in Dundonald, welcoming pupils to school and providing a calming presence for anxious children.
The young dog begins each day welcoming P1 and P2 pupils into school, where he sits at their door looking forward to pats, pets and good mornings from the children as they arrive.
Peanut then joins teachers to welcome pupils in social communication classes in the school.
Vice-principal Fiona Smart, who is Peanut’s handler in the school, said the children ‘adore him’.
“Some children arrive by car or taxi, some travelling a distance to join us, so to see Peanut’s wagging tail welcoming them as they arrive, and being able to pat him as they come into the building really helps the children regulate how they are feeling and come in in a positive, calm and happy way, ready to start their day,” said Mrs Smart.
“Peanut joins the boys and girls in Mrs Gordon’s each morning, where he pads around, then settles beneath their desks as they work, aiding concentration and calmness throughout their lesson.
“If a child is feeling anxious, he lies beside them in their calm corner, enjoying the comfort of their company as much as the children benefit from his.”
Peanut has even accompanied a class on a swimming lesson, providing invaluable poolside support, and he didn’t take his eyes off a child who was the most nervous in the water.
“When the child got out of the pool, Peanut was over to offer a reassuring nudge on the child’s leg, where staff felt he was saying, in his own way, ‘You can do this, well done,’ said Mrs Smart.
“Children come to see Peanut on a 1-2-1 basis, both timetabled and as needed, where he can help a child to regulate their emotions in ways that we as adults sometimes cannot.
“As soon as a child enters the room, he leaves his bed, lifts a toy to bring to them, and settles down beside them, ready to offer his comfort and attention. Some children come to Peanut to read with him, where others come for time to pet him, groom him, play with him or give him a treat.
“He helps us to promote empathy, calmness, and kindness in school, as we treat each other the way we would treat Peanut, and the way Peanut treats us.”
The vice principal explained that this investment in the school is the most powerful and effective pastoral care support they could hope to offer pupils.
“We are excited to be at the beginning of this experience, with Peanut as a huge part of our school family, that we couldn’t imagine being without,” she said.
“Gary, our dog trainer from Assistance Dogs NI, is now coming in to train other staff in how to handle Peanut and the commands and routines that we use when working with him in school.
“We are extremely grateful to Assistance Dogs NI for this incredible opportunity for our school community and for their ongoing support with Peanut.”
