AXEL – ESC’S WELLBEING DOG
Our Year 8-12 students will already be aware that our college is fortunate enough to have a Wellbeing Dog on staff. We are so excited to be introducing Axel the Cobber Dog to our Year 7 students – some of you may have seen him on Transition Day next year. We will be re-commencing Axel’s induction to the College this week.
So for new families – what is a Wellbeing Dog? Emerald Secondary College has partnered with Dogs Connect to be able to have Axel as part of our community. Axel is still only very young and learning all about daily life at ESC, but Term 1 will see him gradually onsite more and more often. We encourage anyone who would like to know more about this program to look through the website link below: 
The work of a Wellbeing Dog has a really positive impact on students, staff and classrooms in general. Axel will be based between our Admin and Wellbeing/Inclusion buildings and, when ready, will be available to join classrooms up to approx. three periods a day, a few days each week. Having Axel in the classroom supports our work with School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and helps to ensure calm and orderly classrooms. Axel helps to build students’ confidence and make them more comfortable. We see students able to better regulate their emotions and behaviour, stay engaged in their classes and meet learning goals. A Wellbeing Dog can encourage students to have deeper conversations about concerns or issues, and help reduce anxiety.
Year 7 students will be taught the 3 Expectations through BEST lessons but all students are reminded of these to ensure Axel is relaxed, comfortable, and best able to support everyone at ESC – these expectations are reiterated in the poster below.
There are ways your child can be involved in the Dogs Connect program even if they are scared of dogs, or allergic (though Axel is hypoallergenic and does not shed). If you have any information that may be relevant to your child specifically and our program, please fill in and return the Family Considerations Checklist provided within this newsletter and return to the front office or to Mrs. Korsten.
Dear New ESC Families,
We are excited to be continuing working with a wellbeing dog around your children this year.We ask you to provide any information that may be relevant to your child and our program. We are aware of the range of considerations that we need to make so that our work is inclusive and successful. Below is a list of common considerations we like to be aware of.
Please tick any boxes below to indicate considerations for program facilitators to be aware of. (If you/your child do not have any concerns this form does not need to be completed). If extra information needs to be supplied, please use the space provided on the second page of this document and return to the College front office or to [email protected]
☐ My child has a dog at home
☐ My child has been around domestic animals frequently
☐ My child has an allergy to some dogs
☐ My child’s traditional culture does not allow interaction with dogs
☐ My child’s religion does not allow interaction with dogs
☐ My child has some degree of fear of dogs
☐ My child has been through trauma related to an incident with an animal
☐ My child has not yet experienced interaction with a dog
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Signed: __________________________ Printed Name: ________________________________
Date: ___________________________
Name of Child: ___________________________________
