Therapy dogs lend a paw

Woodvale Secondary College’s therapy dog program continues to provide joy and support to students and staff 10 years after its launch. 

English teacher Liz Povah started the trailblazing Positive Pooch program at the school in 2016 to help students build social skills and alleviate anxiety. 

“The librarian wanted a companion dog in the library for the growing number of students who were congregating there,” Mrs Povah said. 

“These students were struggling to make friends and find their place.  

“Her idea was that they would bond with, and over, a resident dog, but she couldn’t find a suitable organisation or dog to bring her vision to life.  

“I suggested my greyhound, Boots, who had the perfect temperament as he loved people and making new friends.  

“He did a two-week trial and the rest is history.” 

A social media clip of Boots at work later went viral and attracted media coverage around the world. 

There are currently four greyhounds in the Positive Pooch program – Twiggy, Lucy, Soxie and Chelsea – and one dog is rostered for duty every school day. 

The furry, four-legged assistants support students in a variety of ways. 

“We see improved attendance, development of empathy, social connection, emotional regulation, stress and anxiety alleviation and even improved behaviour in our students,” Mrs Povah said.  

“If there is a greyhound asleep in a classroom, students will calm down and maintain quiet so as not to wake the dog.” 

The relaxed nature of greyhounds makes them perfect helpers. 

“We only have greyhounds in the program due to their calm, loving natures and emotional intelligence,” she said. 

“Their owners are volunteers who bring them to school in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. 

“It is wonderful to see students fall in love with the greys and make a beeline for them in the library any chance they get.  

“They also visit classrooms regularly.”  

Mrs Povah said some greyhounds can even sense when a student needs help.  

“Boots was fast asleep on the couch one afternoon when a student came out of class crying and obviously upset,” Mrs Povah said. 

“Boots heard her and went and put his head on her lap.  

“She stopped crying and smiled.” 

The quirky personalities of the greyhounds have provided some memorable moments for staff and students at Woodvale Secondary College over the past 10 years. 

“A greyhound called Archie joined in the tug-of-war at the sports carnival one year, while Rush was known as a bit of a clown when she wasn’t on duty,” Mrs Povah said. 

“She would do ‘zoomies’ in the library but the second a student walked in she was all business and would walk up to them to see what they needed. 

“Holly would refuse to leave at the end of the day, especially if there were still students around.” 

Mrs Povah said the benefits of having greyhounds at school were catching on. 

“The program was unique when we started in 2016,” she said. 

“More schools now have dedicated well-being, therapy or companion dogs on campus as the benefits are immeasurable.”