In September 2019, we gained a new member of the counselling team at Francis Holland School.  Kanga is a Hungarian Vizsla and is one of the most popular therapists we have!  Vizslas are renowned for their affectionate nature and their need to be around people.  They are commonly known as ‘velcro dogs’ as they rarely leave their owner’s side.  They have a gentle manner and an innate sensitivity, which makes them extremely good therapy dogs.

There is an increasing body of evidence demonstrating that having a dog in school can benefit the students and staff in a number of ways.  Sir Anthony Seldon was famously quoted as saying “Dogs are a powerfully cost-effective way of helping children feel more secure at school and a low-tech approach to reducing anxiety”.  At FHS we have certainly received very positive feedback to the introduction of a therapy dog.  Kanga has helped Junior School children settle in when they’ve been suffering from separation anxiety; she has brought a perspective to older girls who have been feeling overwhelmed by stress and academic pressure and she has helped when girls have felt lonely or let down by friends.

Having a dog present in the counselling room can reduce the intensity of a session.  Kanga offers a distraction and removes the need for girls to make eye contact with their counsellor; she can help open a conversation and take some of the apprehension out of visiting ContemPlace.  She also offers a nonjudgmental, unfailingly optimistic outlook on life, which is hard not to respond positively to.

It is well documented that stroking animals releases endorphins and that these help to reduce anxiety and create a sense of calm.  For some of the girls, the simple act of lying with the dog and stroking her for five minutes is enough to make them feel better, no words need to be spoken, the dog, the space and the endorphins do the work!

The ContemPlace drop-in service has become an increasingly popular place to visit when the School building is open.  It is hard to say whether this is solely because of our therapy dog or because girls are more open to asking for help, but if Kanga helps to break the ice, if she is encouraging girls to come and talk when perhaps they would not have done beforehand, then she is certainly doing an amazing job!