At St Alban's we have a school dog called Jarvis, and he is a Sprocker Spaniel. Sprocker Spaniels are easy to train and are exceptionally good at being with children of all ages. Jarvis has completed initial puppy training as well as further training for dogs who will become therapy dogs. 

The Dogs Trust defines a school dog as a dog that is

'…resident within the school each day for the majority, if not the whole, of the school day'.

However, the school does not own the dog. The dog should belong to an owner and live with them – usually a member of school staff (at our school this is the Headteacher).

From September 2025, pupils will be invited to take part in sessions with the dog. Animals can "bring comfort and happiness to people with a range of disabilities and emotional needs", according to Pets4Homes.

The dog has undergone the appropriate medical checks and training to work as a therapy dog in a school. All staff and pupils have undergone training to know how to interact safely with Jarvis. If your child has a dog-related allergy or suffers from any kind of apprehension/fear of dogs, please let the school office know and we will keep them away from Jarvis. Please get in contact if there is any other information we should know related to your child participating in the dog therapy sessions. 

A copy of the agreed Dogs in Schools Policy can be found below, along with the ‘Meet Jarvis’ poster. If you would like to view the Risk Assessment, please request a copy from the school office.