Wellbeing Dogs
Wellbeing Dogs
At Lara Lake Primary School, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. As part of our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment, we are proud to have two specially trained Wellbeing Dogs who make a positive difference in the lives of our students and staff each day.
Meet Sonny and Watson
Our Wellbeing Dogs are valued members of the Lara Lake Primary School community.
- Sonny is a Labrador who joined our school through the Guide Dogs Victoria Therapy Dog Program.
- Watson is an Australian Cobberdog who joined us through the Dogs Connect Program.
Both dogs are cared for by members of our Leadership Team and are specially trained to work in educational settings.
How Our Wellbeing Dogs Help
Research shows that therapy and wellbeing dogs can have a significant positive impact on children’s emotional wellbeing, engagement and learning. Sonny and Watson help create a calm and welcoming atmosphere throughout our school by:
- Supporting students to regulate their emotions
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Encouraging positive social interactions
- Building confidence and resilience
- Supporting students during times of challenge or change
- Providing comfort and companionship
- Helping students feel connected and ready to learn
The dogs also provide moments of joy for staff, contributing to a positive and caring school culture.
Our Wellbeing Dogs may visit classrooms, support wellbeing programs, spend time with individual students or small groups, attend special events and simply provide a friendly presence around the school grounds.
Teaching Safe Interactions
Students are explicitly taught how to interact safely and respectfully with Sonny and Watson. This ensures positive experiences for both the dogs and our school community.
Our expectations are:
- Say hello to the staff member before greeting the dog.
- Give the dog plenty of personal space.
- Keep moving—do not crowd, stop or stare at the dog.
- Always ask permission before patting by saying:
“Hello Mr Davis/Ms Castelow. May I please pat Sonny/Watson?” - Only pat the dogs when invited to do so by the supervising staff member.
These simple expectations help our students develop respect for animals while ensuring everyone remains safe and comfortable.
Animals on School Grounds
To maintain the safety and wellbeing of all members of our school community, personal dogs and other animals are not permitted on school grounds.
The only exception is when an animal has been pre-approved by the school for an educational purpose, such as a classroom learning experience or special event.
Our Wellbeing Dogs are specially trained, assessed and supervised while on school grounds, allowing them to safely support the wellbeing of our students and staff every day.