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antipodi
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Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:38 pm
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Gus Teachers Pet
Found this great article in the News today
Hounding a teacher's pet
A wagging tale: Gus the English springer spaniel is credited with making students want to be in class and with improving their attention.
Photo: John Woudstra
By Chee Chee Leung
February 20, 2006
THE saying goes that you should never work with animals or children, but Bernadette Nicholls thinks otherwise.
For two years, the Epping teacher has run her classes at St Monica's College with the help of dog Gus. The English springer spaniel joined the northern suburbs school as part of a study into how a dog can affect learning.
Ms Nicholls, who is doing the research for her master's degree, was inspired by the reportedly positive effect therapeutic dogs had in hospitals and nursing homes.
"This is not just about a teacher's pet," she said. "It's about seeing the therapeutic benefits of having a dog in the classroom."
Gus began training for the role as a 12-week-old puppy and has since become a special part of the school. He shares an office with Ms Nicholls and around his neck carries a staff photo identification that reads "Dog Gus".
During class, the 2˝-year-old might wander between chairs, stretch out on his mat under the whiteboard or have a snooze beside someone's feet. Students had thought he would be a distraction, but have discovered he helps them absorb information.
"I thought I would pay more attention to Gus than what we were being taught," year 7 student Mathew Zuzic said. "But it actually kept my attention in class, instead of it going out the window."
Year 12 student Elle Carey, who was in class with Gus two years ago, likened his presence to having a radio on while studying. "It doesn't take your concentration away. It just makes you feel relaxed and calm and comfortable … and it made us want to be in class."
Although dogs are not common in Victorian classrooms, such animals as budgies, guinea pigs and rabbits have been part of school life for many years.
"It's something that brings the kids together," Australian Education Union state president Mary Bluett said. "It develops group cohesion and shared responsibility."
Ms Nicholls has been particularly impressed by the dog's ability to break down barriers between students. "Watching the boys with Gus, you can see them lose their macho-ness. The girls say: 'Hey, miss, he's got a sweet side to him'," she said.
"But the biggest impact is that kids want to come to class, they want to be there and that's huge. The biggest issue in secondary school is making kids happy to come to school."
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