National Pet Day pounces onto our calendars on 11 April, celebrating the joy, love, and friendship that our furry, feathery, or scaly friends bring into our lives. Whether you’re a devoted dog parent, a caring cat lover, or have a collection of pets, this special day is a time to honour the bond between humans and animals.

 

To celebrate National Pet Day 2025, ELAN (Extend Learning Academies Network) has been appreciating a whole menagerie of pets who stay home whilst their owners head off to work each day.

 

But, amongst these amazing animals are an elite group of dogs, who have been trained to work in schools, as ‘official employees’.

 

In schools, dogs provide a valuable role in supporting pupils’ academic, emotional, and social development and at ELAN, five special dogs are a very important part of school life. We would like to introduce you to Dot, Mouse, Buddy, Luna and Hattie - the school dog team!  

 

Dot is rather famous within the Mendip Green Primary School community. As a timid four–month old pup, Dot began her training back in 2021 over the summer holidays when school was empty and now, four years on, has become one of the most popular member of Mendip Green staff. Nurturing Dot, provides a listening ear to readers, delivers the post and provides love and cuddles to children when they feel sad or anxious. She is an excellent therapist to both children and staff and sister to Mouse.

 

Buddy is a springer spaniel and has chosen to work at Locking Primary School. Following his successful employee induction, Buddy is currently completing his training and is fast becoming a real asset to the school. Buddy is an excellent listener which has proven to be a real support with helping children read. Not all children are confident to read out loud but Buddy listens without prejudice or interruption and this gives children more confidence as well as growing their skills.

 

Mouse lives with Dot. Mouse heard about the role of school dog from her sister Dot and wanted in! She began her apprenticeship at Mendip Green in the summer of 2024 and is growing in confidence each day. Mouse has learned to listen to readers and loves it when the children stroke her and give her attention. Perhaps Mouse’s best asset is that of making everyone smile, because of how daft she can be, but spreading happiness regardless. Dot and Mouse's 'Top Dog' stickers have become the stickers of choice when children visit the office to share their work and the most popular members of staff in the office. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mead Vale Primary School’s Luna, full name Luna Firey topaz, is a TV star, having appeared in Channel 4’s Puppy School which aired back in 2019. Luna is an experienced school dog and one of her best skills is providing therapeutic support to children who are feeling sad or anxious. She works hard helping children with their reading, providing cuddles and showing off her tricks – which the children love!

Hattie is the newest member of the Mead Vale Primary School dog family. Luna and Hattie work as a job share as Mead Vale's school dog. Luna works at the beginning of the week and Hattie covers the end of the week, although just recently both dogs worked the same day which enables a better workload dog-team handover for both dogs. As well as training Hattie on the job, Luna has been very good at sharing her toys and treats with Hattie.  Hattie is a terrier crossed with a springer spaniel and is full of energy. She absolutely loves a cuddle! Hattie loves to be taken for a walk or hanging out in The Cottage. She runs around and around in circles on Mead Vale's school field and loves all the OPAL play equipment. Hattie loves coming to school and spending time with the children and all the adults. She has quickly become a firm favourite at Mead Vale.

Having a school dog is not for every school, but our schools have undertaken rigorous planning, training and assessment of risk to make sure the school environment is right for the dog and that the individual dog is right for the school. Both pupils and staff love it when a dog is around and the benefits are huge. The human-dog bond can change lives and our schools’ dogs are there for when children are both happy and sad, providing warmth and security, reducing anxiety, providing a listening ear, helping with emotional regulation and improving behaviour and attendance. These dogs embody the spirit of National Pet Day, not only as well-loved pets at home, but as working members of staff in their school communities. Thank you to Buddy, Dot, Mouse, Hattie and Luna and your human assistants for all the joy and support that you bring to schools.