Macsen- our school dog

Macsen is a Cockapoo and when not in school he lives with Mr Jones. Research has been carried out to ensure that we have selected a suitable breed of dog for our school, pupils and staff.

Macsen only understands Welsh and children will have to use their Welsh language skills to communicate with him. We have used Canine Assisted Learning to train Macsen for his role in school.

Poodle cross dogs typically:

• Are considered hypoallergenic due to their low shedding.

• Are considered intelligent and easy to train.

• They are generally friendly around strangers, affectionate and adaptable.

We have researched and seen the benefits of having a school dog:

• Studies have shown that the presence of companion animals can improve the well-being of children and lower anxiety levels, simply by making the environment happier and more enjoyable.

• Dogs in the classroom can be used to calm fears and relieve anxieties.

Once he has finished his training, he will be in school most days and his base will be in Mr Jones.  When he is moving around the school, he will be on a lead and always with an adult.  We hope that he will be able to support pupils in areas such as reading and nurture groups.