Our school has been working closely with Jenny Duckworth of The Dog Mentor Programme since 2015. The Dog Mentor Programme has built on the benefits of the human-animal bond by providing children with positive experiences with dogs that can help them educationally, developmentally, emotionally and socially.

The aim of The Dog Mentor is to create a completely universal offering in our school environment for not only social, emotional and mental health wellbeing but also covers all aspects of curriculum based education in order to improve educational outcomes.

Since 2012, the implementation of The Dog Mentor Programme in primary & secondary schools across the UK has proven to have a significantly positive impact on many children's lives.

The Dog Mentor Programme has been implemented in over 500 schools all over the UK with over 100 educational professionals having been trained.

There are now more than 600 Dog Mentors working in schools every day. 

We would like to introduce you to three special dogs, including Woody & Mabel who are gold member dog mentors.  

WOODY

 2^nd July 2016 – 22^nd September 2025

                                     

Woody began his work as a Dog Mentor at 12 weeks old and gave all his nine years to working as a therapy dog. In that time, he has been a companion to the pupils and staff, as well as being a much loved, family pet. Woody also raised his fellow Dog Mentors Luna and Mabel, showing them what it meant to be a companion to our pupils.

In his time, Woody has met Ofsted, watched chicks hatch with the pupils, spent hours in the woodland exploring with the pupils and spent many happy, cosy moments snuggled by their feet as they worked. He has listened to stories, sniffed their amazing work and checked pockets in the hope of a biscuit.

Woody did amazing things such as give pupils who find it hard to talk the confidence to use their voice, or help distressed and angry souls to feel calm again. However, he also made the everyday things shine and it was often the gentle stroke as he passed or the smiles he received as he walked up to people, the resting of his head on a knee or the feel of his wet nose in your ear that made his presence truly felt.

Thank you, beautiful Woody.

MABEL

Mabel is Woody’s niece and has been in school since January 2023. Mabel lives with Mrs Williams.

She began working at 12 weeks and has been full time ever since. As a puppy she was raised in Bat Class with her Uncle Woody showing her how to sit with and play with the pupils who enjoyed their company.

Now Mabel is based in Robins Class, with Mrs Williams, where she and Woody support any pupil who would benefit from the company of a four-pawed friend. This could be anything from a game of fetch to bring confidence and joy, training games to develop a confident voice or enjoying Mabel sleeping by your feet to help you concentrate on your work at the table.

Career highlights:

~Enabled YR pupils to use exemplary maturity, patience, calm and kindness to follow all adult instructions in raising a puppy in class

~at her young age has transferred her training from Bat Class to another environment by now working full time in the nurture room (Robins Class)

~ kept all 4 paws on the ground perfectly when meeting the lead inspector during our Ofsted inspection in November 2023, just after her first birthday!

~ Ofsted said during this inspection that ‘pupils are very well supported to develop their inner confidence and well-being. For example, Woody and Mabel, the school’s therapy dogs, are integral members of the school, bringing a great sense of calm and companionship to pupils.

~ due to her age, Mabel is our most energetic Mentor

LUNA

Luna is the icing on the cake. She is a part time presence in school and belongs to the headteacher and is family to Woody and Mabel. We are all excited to see Luna when she comes to school.

She has had various roles in school since 2018, from working in a small academic intervention group to working in various year group classes. Like Woody, our pupils won’t know Greenvale School without her.

Luna’s friendly temperament is the essence of the dogs as mentors for the pupils because of the inner peace and calm her company can give anyone who might be struggling with their emotions.

Luna was also an important part of our lockdown support for the pupils

Career highlights:

~ Luna’s temperament is pure joy. The pupils love her ever wagging tail and gentle interactions.

~ Luna is a friend to all – she makes everyone smile

~ she is the most adaptable of the dogs as she has had such variation to her role