Zippy the assistance dog welcomed to Forres Academy to help owner third year Rose Robbins
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PUPILS at a local school welcomed a four-legged addition to the school roll last term.
Two-year-old owner-trained Huntaway cross, Zippy, was introduced gradually in the last few months at Forres Academy to help her owner, third year student Rose Robbins, focus on her work.
Rose's mum Faye explained Zippy has made a positive difference to Rose, who struggled at school following the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: "Rose needed support after coming out of lockdown and we realised that a support dog was a possible way. Their partnership improves her life immensely.
"Hopefully all the work and stress that our family has been through will make it an easier journey for other families - we certainly didn’t know anything about this world at the start!"
Rose's guidance teacher, Ms Joanne Shepherd, confirmed Faye sought out information about assistance dog training when her daughter's struggles became more apparent.
She said: "They found support with Recovery Assistance Dogs (RAD).
"Rose embraced the training and worked really hard to ensure Zippy reached the level necessary for him to be categorised as such. We then worked toward transitioning him into school."
Rose, Zippy and family travelled to Leicestershire for the dog's RAD risk assessment, an integral part of getting Zippy into Forres Academy.
Faye said: "We joined RAD because of their experience with schools. They prepared Zippy, advocated for Rose with Moray Council and the school, and provided her with further task work to enable her to support him. We are truly appreciative of their support."
She added: "Most of this work was carried out after months of training with a fantastic trainer - Wendy from Dog Trainer W5 who volunteers with Banff, Moray and Nairn Canine Club - that ran the Kennel Club Good Citizens award - a great starting point for assistance dogs."
Moray Council and Forres Academy completed a risk assessment before enrolling Zippy.
Faye explained: "Zippy is the first assistance dog in a local authority school in Moray so they had to write new policies for him. We are hopeful that the risk assessments and policies will be pushed out to all schools as a matter of course."
Zippy supports Rose’s mental health and wellbeing - stemming from a diagnosed issue - by allowing her to use deep pressure therapy (DPT) when required. Zippy knows when Rose needs support, alerting her to use his physical contact and weight therapeutically.
By body blocking and creating space around her, Zippy makes Rose feel more confident walking around the school building, as well as out and about in public.
Rose can find groups of more than six people overwhelming - Zippy is trained to guide her to the nearest exit if she becomes agitated.
"The school community has been incredibly supportive," said Ms Shepherd. "The pupils reacted with curiosity but had been given information about how to react to an assistance dog so were respectful of Zippy’s needs.
"Teachers welcomed the dog in classes and we are all working together with Rose and her family to ensure the transition continues to go as smoothly as possible."
Rose has just transitioned to fourth year and as well as core subjects, studies Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Sports and Recreation.
She hopes to take a gap year in Tasmania to volunteer with animals before going on to study them at a higher level.
Faye said: "This will take a lot of ongoing training for Zippy as Rose aims for him to join her every step of the way. This will also mean he will eventually be an Assistance Dogs International member!"
Local bus drivers have helped Zippy assimilate on the school run.
Faye said: "Kineil Coaches have been fantastic, enabling Zippy to have a familiarisation visit. They turned on a bus for him to experience it, with some of the regular school route drivers coming to say hi and saving a space at the front for ease of access.
"Zippy was allowed to do the bus journey even before he was allowed in school so it could become a normal start to his working day."
Ms Shepherd is proud of Rose and how she manages at school with her furry friend.
She said: "Rose links with me regularly and we talk about any issue that comes up so that we can find solutions.
"I'm also really proud of the wider school community's reaction. The pupils, parents and staff have been so supportive."
