The value of Pets As Therapy (PAT) is widely accepted as a powerful aid to stimulation and communication. Studies have shown that the presence of companion animals can improve the well-being of children and lower the rate of anxiety, simply by making the environment happier, more enjoyable and less forbidding.

The team at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Hartley Wintney have been considering how to include a PAT dog for the nursery for some time, and we’re delighted to announce the decision to go ahead with the project with the introduction of Poppy, our very own Therapy Dog.

Poppy, our gorgeous Labrador Retriever, was born in May 2023. Her legal owners are Cherry Newnham and Andy Fleetwood (Nursery Owner, and Marketing & Facilities Manager, respectively). She is a pure breed black Lab born to a registered breeder in Calne, Wiltshire, as part of a litter of 8, and is Kennel Club registered where her ancestry can be traced back through 5 generations.

The decision to adopt a Labrador Retriever was largely due to the temperament of the breed. The Kennel Club describe this breed as ‘good tempered’ and a ‘devoted companion’. They are ‘intelligent, keen, and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly in nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.’ Due to these excellent characteristics, Labrador Retrievers are very commonly used as therapy dogs.

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Cherry and Poppy are currently undertaking training through Paws Therapy Dog Training in order to become an accredited Therapy Dog Handler and Therapy Dog. She will be trained to support children across the nursery. Cherry will receive dog handling training by a trainer who is fully qualified and approved by The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and The Dog Training College, and is licensed in Canine Body Language and Pet First Aid.

The benefits of animal assisted therapy are numerous. These benefits include:
• Effectively reduce stress and anxiety through stroking.
• ​Improving self-esteem and self-determination.
• ​​Stimulating memory and problem solving.
• ​Lowering blood pressure.
• Supporting those with social and emotional learning needs.
• Supporting emotional regulation through the positive impact on the autonomic nervous system.
• ​Increasing verbal and non-verbal communication.
• ​​Fostering positive emotions and mood.
• ​Helping individuals to express their feelings.
• ​Helping individuals to develop social skills, empathy, and appropriate interpersonal skills.
• Boosting quality of life.
• Increased motivation for learning, resulting in improved outcomes.

Research into the effects of therapy dogs in early years settings is showing a range of benefits including:
• Gains in confidence.
• Decreases in anxiety behaviours resulting in improved learning outcomes, such as increases in reading and writing levels.
• Positive changes towards learning and improved motivation.
• Enhanced relationships with peers and practitioners due to experiencing trust and unconditional positive regard from a therapy dog.

We are really looking forward to introducing Poppy to the children once she has completed her training, and can’t wait to see the positive effects that being around her brings.