Our School Dog Milo

We are delighted to introduce Milo, our wonderful school dog, who will be visiting Harper Bell regularly on Fridays. Milo will spend time in lessons and enjoy playtime at lunchtimes, bringing warmth, calm and joy to our school community.

Milo is Mrs Sidhu's "fluffy teddy bear on legs" - a gentle, fun-loving Shih-tzu who absolutely adores children. He has a calm and affectionate nature and especially enjoys listening to stories being read aloud. His friendly personality helps children feel relaxed and confident, making him a lovely companion in the school environment.

Milo is hypoallergenic, which means he is very unlikely to cause allergies. He also does not molt, meaning he does not shed fur and is always clean and well groomed. He is a treasured member of Mrs Sidhu's family and we are very pleased to welcome him as a special addition to the Harper Bell family.

Why have a school dog?

Research and experience show that school dogs can have a very positive impact on children's wellbeing and development. Milo's presence will help to:

  • create a calm and nurturing atmosphere

  • support children in feeling happy, safe and confident

  • encourage positive social interaction

  • build confidence in reading, as children enjoy reading stories to him

  • promote kindness, empathy and responsibility

  • bring joy and comfort to the school day

Many children find that spending time with a gentle dog helps them feel relaxed and ready to learn.

Reassurance for Parents

We understand that parents will want reassurance that having a dog in school is safe and carefully managed.

Milo is a gentle, friendly and harmless dog with a calm temperament. He is used to being around people and responds well to kind and respectful interaction.

His visits will always be carefully supervised by staff and children will be taught how to interact with him in a safe and sensible way. Milo's wellbeing is also very important to us and his time in school will be planned thoughtfully to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

For many children, a school dog can be a wonderful source of comfort, encouragement and happiness. Milo's gentle nature, loving personality and playful charm make him a very special companion, and we are delighted that he will be part of our Harper Bell community.

We are sure he will quickly become a much-loved member of the Harper Bell family.