There has been a significant amount of research carried out about the benefits of having dogs in schools. 

The Dogs Trust issues very strong guidance about the responsibilities of the school when considering introducing a school dog(s). 

The school dog must have an owner who has no teaching commitments, to ensure that the dog has a safe space and is able to have plenty of quiet time. The wellbeing of the animal is of the utmost importance. 
It was decided that the Labrador breed would be ideally suited to Woodlands. This is because by nature they are eager to please, gentle, loyal, friendly, highly trainable, with a love of people and a strong desire to please. They are also physically large and robust in stature meaning that not only mentally but also physically they would cope with everyday life at Woodlands. 

The Labrador puppy that was selected came from a breeder that owns both parents and they have started their lives in the breeders family homes with both children and cats. School council voted to name the puppy Woody.
Angela Franklin was approached to be the owner due to her daily working structure, busy family home and her extensive first hand knowledge of the Labrador breed. Woody would be living in a family home with both children and other dogs so would be very well socialised. 

Any dog working in a school must have a behavior assessment carried out by a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB). 

We will be working with the organization Pawsable to help train Woody from a puppy to be an assistance and therapy dog. Pawsable specialises in Autism Assistance Dogs but is also involved in training assistance dogs for many disabilities. This training is adapted for each individual establishment depending on their requirements.