BONKERS
Our fully trained school support dog.
Animals are not permitted into our school or on the school site without the express permission of the Principal. This is to ensure the safety of all. We need to check on an animal’s health and behaviour before permission can be granted to bring the animal into school and the Animals in School Policy and checklist must be read, completed and submitted to the Principal in advance.
ACE has a school support dog and we need to ensure that any animal that is brought into school will not interfere with his duties. You can find out more about our support dog by accessing his pages in ACE Firefly, our school intranet.
​
Our school support dog is called Bonkers and he is fully trained by Canine Assisted Learning. Our ACE staff are also trained by them on how to use Bonkers in school.
​
Bonkers belongs to Mrs Daire and he is familiar with the buildings, the students and the staff. Some of the numerous benefits of having a dog in school are:-
​
-
He has a calming effect on pupils;
-
He improves behaviour and concentration, reduces stress and improves self-esteem;
-
He encourages expression, participation and confidence for all children;
-
He helps with fostering a sense of responsibility;
-
He motivates students to think and to learn, as most people have a high level of natural interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of animals;
-
He encourages respect and thereby improves pupils’ relationships with each other, parents and teachers;
-
He teaches people to nurture and respect life;
-
He helps students build confidence.
Bonkers is a Bichon Frise cross who has low allergy and low-shedding qualities. He is supervised by an adult at all times and is in "working mode" when in school. If you would like to learn more about how this is done then please contact our school.
​
​
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A MESSAGE FROM BONKERS
​
​
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUT ANIMALS IN SCHOOL POLICY
​
​
​