Many schools are struggling to find the time. Too few hands. Can it help with some paws? Yes, many think. That is why more and more schools are now using dogs as “environmental therapists” in schools. – We see it quite clearly already. Children want to work with the dogs, and when they return to class they are also more concentrated and ready, says head of department at Stalsberg school, Linn Heidi Deutschmann. When the bell rings at Stalsberg school in Modum, it is also called for the dogs Cava (2) and Mattis (6). A little further south, Aiva (5) and Karma (9) wag as the children run in the corridors at Ve school in Kristiansand. Last week, Avia and Karma actually got permanent jobs at the school because they saw such a great positive development in the students. Enormous results Although the children are primarily at school to learn, the dogs can contribute to more than just play, according to Susanne Espeseth. She is a teacher at Ve school in Kristiansand and for several years has brought her dogs and used them as therapy dogs. – We see enormous results when we use dogs as an educational aid, says Espeseth. She highlights a few changes: The classroom dynamics change The pupils use unanimity Helps with social difficulties Children with learning difficulties like to read to the dog – So it will be a great class environment. The students love it, and they get such a sense of calm. Espeseth now hopes that more schools both in Southern Norway and in the rest of the country will adopt therapy dogs in schools. Aiva (5) and Karma (9) are specially trained to be therapy dogs. Dog owner and teacher Susanne Espeseth says students with learning difficulties like to sit and read in front of the dog. The dogs have their own “doghouse” at the school where the students can come and visit them. Don’t hit a dog, don’t hit a student The school has converted a former dentist’s office into a “dog house”, where the two therapy-trained golden retrievers are. The dogs are used both in classroom teaching and in one-to-one situations with students. They are particularly effective for children with challenges, according to Espeseth. She says that the children have a completely different calm now. She points to the following example: You say you could never hit the dog, so why can you hit your friends? – This has had a profound impact on students, says Espeseth. The dogs have their own classroom where the children can visit and do tasks. Photo: private – Saved the school day – For some, it probably almost saved the school day. They have thought it has been great to be here, on a day that may actually have been a bit difficult, says environmental supervisor Heidi Sollien at Stalsberg school. The dogs have a separate room at the school where they can stay, and then the students can visit them at fixed times during the week. – It is quite new for us. We started with this in August. So the dogs also need some time to settle into a new environment and get started with the “job”. But they have more than enough to do, so we almost have to put the brakes on, because this has become very popular. And even after a few weeks, the effect on the students is noticeable. The dogs have a separate room at the school where they can stay. Photo: Anders Haualand Doesn’t live at school … At Stalsberg school in Modum, Amanda (9) enjoys the dogs. – He is very strange and silly. And very kind, he doesn’t do anything bad, she says. For her, the dogs are a respite in everyday life. And they give her different learning environments than the classroom, where she is most. – We play, and then we read books. And for environmental protection manager Heidi Sollien, being able to bring her dogs to work is an added bonus. – There are some students who have asked if they live here at school, but they don’t. They live at my house. Ulrik (11), Johannes (7) and Amanda (9) appreciate the dog room at Stalsberg school. Photo: Anders Haualand / news Published 25.09.2024, at 05.13
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Several dogs have got “permanent jobs” at school – think more people should do the same – news Buskerud – Local news, TV and radio
