Arlo turns one

By Lachlan Ellis

Gordon Primary School students and staff have celebrated the first birthday of the school’s wellbeing dog, Arlo, with a range of fun games.

The groodle was introduced to the school in late 2021 as part of the ‘Dogs Connect’ program, which puts dogs into schools, hospitals, aged care homes, and more.

The occasion was marked with birthday games such as a scavenger hunt, musical chairs, birthday card making, and ‘pin the tail on Arlo’.

Principal Russel Cowan said Arlo had provided real benefits to both students and staff at the school since his arrival, especially after COVID lockdowns.

“Arlo is a lovely groodle who has the most beautiful, gentle nature and is loved by the entire school community. As a Dogs Connect School Wellbeing Dog, Arlo works to bring wellbeing benefits to all he encounters within the Gordon Primary School community,” Mr Cowan told the Moorabool News.

“Students and staff are happier, and he has assisted with students returning from COVID with the various mental health issues associated with this. Scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that being near a dog can reduce stress and anxiety and decrease the heart rate.

“Staff and Arlo have been trained to assist students with emotional regulation, social connection, and communication. This program and Arlo can build empathy, awareness of others and self, increase social regulation and decrease reactivity.  Arlo also loves to listen to reading and check the work of the students.”

In a survey conducted by Dogs Connect, 92 per cent of students said they felt more relaxed during teaching and learning time when there was a dog in the classroom.

Students are also more willing to be active in the school environment when the school has a dog, with schools Dogs Connect reporting that their attendance rates had improved.

For more information on the Dogs Connect program, visit www.dogsconnect.net.au.