The newest student at St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate is settling in well and is proving to be  popular with staff and students alike but this is no ordinary pupil but a nine week old Australian Labradoodle pup called Ziggy.

Ziggy joined the school in Boleyn Road yesterday, June 5,  and is training to be a school therapy pet with funding secured with a Jack Petchey Foundation small grant.

He will live at home with Geography teacher and Head of Year 8, Mr James Volket-Igoe, who went on to explain: “New research supports existing evidence that school assistance dogs can bring tremendous benefits to a school community. Therapy dogs can help teachers build positive relationships to remove specific barriers to learning for some students and physical interaction has been known to reduce blood pressure, assist with pain management and stimulate the senses. We’re hoping Ziggy will provide a positive mutual topic for discussions, promote greater self esteem and help focus social interaction with our students.”

Therapy dogs help to stimulate the memory of some students and help with problem solving and emotional issues in school. They decrease anxiety and help students work with anger management issues and provide comfort for some students. The Learning Support and SENDCO Department are hoping to work with Ziggy too over the coming months.

Mr  V.I added: “His first day went really well, he made lots of new friends and loved being the centre of attention. He sleeps a lot of the time as he’s only a puppy but already lots of boys have shown an interest in him. I’ve had a special St Bon’s jacket made for him so he will fit in but it’s huge on him at the moment.”

Already one student has sent an email to Mr Volket-Igoe expressing his delight at having Ziggy in school and explaining he had lost his pet recently and asking if he could become his friend and help with his care.