School therapy dog, Pep helps the students to forget about Covid!
My Canine Companion puppy in training Pep has been working hard, with the return to school!
She has been supporting so many kids and has been putting a smile back on both pupil's and staff's faces.
Her handler Declan tells us, "I am a school counsellor, and this year so many kids have increased levels of anxiety due to the long absence of school with Covid.”
I'm proud that our school have seen that and taken a strong proactive measure to help kids return, bringing Pep is proving to be amazing. She can do things that humans cannot, she can make the kids want to come to school just to see her. I think it is a powerful experience to be part of, to witness and to help make happen.
The kids are heroes, and Pep is becoming a big positive part of their world. To be her minder and is such an honour.
Going back to school in September is always a time of worry and anxiety for children. Starting secondary school can be an especially difficult time for children.
But starting secondary school in the midst of a pandemic is incredibly stressful, wearing masks, not being able to hug your friends or even a high five. The constant fear or getting COVID-19 , the confusion of being in school when the rest of society is told to stay at home.
This is an extraordinarily stressful time and there has never been a " back to school " like the one of 2020.
But for our kids in Bridgetown College Pep has been a silver lining. Pep has eased the stress and brought joy and comfort in this very difficult time. Pep has been a constant source of comfort in the most uncertain of times. Seeing the kids smiling when they see Pep is so heart-warming. The kids have loved every second they have had with Pep.
One of the children said "Pep helps me forget about Covid “
What a testament.
Thank you Pep, and thank you My Canine Companion."
Declan - Pep’s handler
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