Ted is five year old Yorkie / Jack Russell cross. He has been working as a therapy dog since he was a pup with owner Jan Crook, and together they’re on a mission to help Rye’s youngsters with anxiety and school avoidance achieve a positive learning experience.
Jan is a qualified therapist with many years work helping children with social and emotional mental health and learning needs. Plans are coming together, working in partnership with U-Educate, to start sessions at the Tilling Green Community Centre in October, initially targeting eleven to fourteen-year-olds in Key Stage 3. She says there’s a desperate need to help local youngsters unable to attend school for emotional reasons: “We’re going to improve access to education for local children and young people who find the mainstream school setting difficult.”
The new service will take referrals from schools, parents, and local education authorities. Jan says the set up is what’s known as an alternative provision school; “Each student will get a valuable and positive educational experience leading to either a successful return to mainstream education or progression into full-time employment.”
The increase in children finding school challenging has also been mirrored by suspensions. A BBC report last year found the number of children being suspended from schools in south-east England has reached its highest level in six years. Government figures for East Sussex had a rate of 4.25 pupils per 100 being suspended during the 2022/23 autumn term.
The Tilling Green service hopes to offer a full curriculum for three days a week from 9:15am until 2:30pm, with maths, English, cooking and science on the timetable. Christian Brown and Adam Grey from U-Educate will be managing the teaching staff and curriculum.
So how does Ted the therapy dog help? “He’s amazing in the way he supports children with additional needs. He reduces anxiety and adds playfulness to our sessions. He’s a proven success when it comes to helping children who are struggling with their emotions.”
If you’d like to know more email Jan Crook –livingwellmbs@gmail.com. Referrals can be made to info@u-educate.co.uk.
Jan and Ted have been regular visitors to Tilling, Tea and Cake run by the local befriending charity FAiR at the Tilling Green Community Centre.
Image Credits: Jan Crook .