. . . AND WE CALL IT PUPPY LOVE!
A new staff appointment proves popular at Warminster.
With pastoral care of paramount importance here at Warminster School, we are proud to announce a new staff appointment who is already proving to be a much loved and highly regarded addition to the team. Professor Moriarty, Warminster School’s very own therapy dog, has enjoyed a strong start to his tenure. Described by his human (the Reverend Rebecca Ayres-Harris) as ‘A Mostly Pug’, the Professor is proud of his 1/8th Chihuahua heritage, and his silky coat and endearing features have ensured he is a firm favourite amongst staff and pupils alike. The Professor (Mo for short), resides with our chaplain but during the school day is ideally situated in his ‘office’ within The Foundry and attended by Lisa Cook, our ISAMs and Firefly expert. The Professor makes himself available for strokes, hugs, laps of the School grounds and gentle ball throwing but importantly incorporates the occasional forty winks when his busy timetable allows.
Therapy dogs have been introduced to great effect amongst educational establishments in the UK over the last 5 years, but in countries such as the USA and Australia they have been common place for considerably longer. Numerous studies have illustrated the positive benefits of their presence amongst a school community ranging from cognitive, to social, emotional and environmental. As Mrs Cook (Professor Moriarty’s personal assistant testifies), “The ‘Mo’ effect is instant. If a pupil drops in feeling a little low for whatever reason, in just a short while they re-emerge calmer and more at ease,” Mrs Cook comments, “A hug with Mo can work when words have not.” Pupils are encouraged to pre-arrange a time slot for ‘Mo Therapy’ and short walks can also be arranged as long as a member of staff is in attendance. Professor Moriarty is delighted with his new role, “It’s a pleasure to work amongst such an energetic community and I look forward to extending my knowledge of the grounds and the humans within them over the coming months.”