Students fundraising for their own therapy dog

Nellie the cockapoo needs to undergo months of training

Students are raising funds to put their teacher's new puppy through therapy dog training.

Nellie the cockapoo is working towards a qualification which will allow her to provide support for children and staff at Ovingham Middle School in Northumberland.

Assistant headteacher Sarah McHugh said she had seen pupils needing more support over the last few years due to a variety of factors, but that they were more in touch with their emotions and able to articulate those.

"I have always wanted a dog myself and what better to give the dog a really nice home with me but also be part of the community?" she said.

Students had been pondering what Nellie's working day might look like, Miss McHugh said.

Some had suggested they could take her on walks in the village during lunch or visit her to get settled during the day.

Miss McHugh said in recent years everyone's emotional literacy had evolved and she had observed her students were "more confident" in asking for extra support.

"I think they're just more aware now and telling us that they need some extra help to regulate their emotions," she said.

She said Nellie's presence would make school "a bit more inviting and engaging, but also a safer space for them".

Students at Ovingham Middle School have been fundraising for Nellie's therapy dog training

Both Miss McHugh and Nellie have to undergo months of training for the accreditation, which will cost £4,500 in total.

An assessment will look for Nellie's ability to respond to commands, but also see if she has empathy and can recognise body language cues in people.

The children have got behind her journey by holding cake sales and non-uniform day fundraisers.

They also held a competition to design Nellie's neckerchief for when she comes to the school full-time from December.

Miss McHugh said: "Staff say they are really keen to work with Nellie and have her in some of the classrooms.

"Maybe for the star-of-the-lesson to come and spend some time with her, but also just to have her there as a bit of a comfort."

Nellie-themed cake sales have been held to help the cause

With a limited school budget, staff decided the best option was to fundraise as the training would solely be used for school-based interventions for the 350 pupils there.

Miss McHugh bought Nellie herself and also pays for her vet bills, health insurance and day-to-day costs, like food.

There is no government funding earmarked solely for therapy dogs.

If a staff member or pupil was allergic to dogs they did not have to be in close proximity to Nellie, Miss McHugh said, and risk assessments had been carried out.

When Nellie is in school full time, she will also follow timetable and there will be signs to mark she is present in a room.