The 12-week old sprocker spaniel (a cross between a springer and a cocker spaniel) Paddington has begun his first term on campus as the school's new therapy dog.

Paddington has become a regular fixture and popular member of the school community and can be found in school classrooms or across the campus in the company of owner and school psychologist Kylie Wolstencroft.

Mrs Wolstencroft said Paddington has been learning "on-the-job" training so far and has helped as a calming presence for anxious children, those who have been exposed to trauma, or students who are suffering from study stress.

"Scotch Oakburn has had therapy dogs on campus over the past few years," she said.

However, the last dog Beau, unfortunately, passed away so the hunt was on to find a suitable replacement.

Mrs Wolstencroft said she set out on a search to find a dog with good temperament, as that is one of the key factors in deciding which dogs will make good therapy dogs.

Paddington was one of a litter of 11 sprocker spaniels and was hand-picked out of the litter by Mrs Wolstencroft primarily because of his temperament.

"I needed to find a puppy that wouldn't be scared around big groups of people and would be able to handle being on campus without getting stressed out," she said.

Paddington has a strict schedule to ensure he doesn't get too worn out and spends his downtime in a crate in Mrs Wolstencroft's office.

"He's basically one hour on and one off, and when he's off he goes and has a nap in his crate," she said.

However, it's not just students that have benefitted from Paddington's presence.

Mrs Wolstencroft said the benefits of therapy puppies had been well documented as they can assist anxious people as a calming presence or can provide a positive distraction for people who had experienced trauma.

However, Paddington had been most well received as part of the senior campus, assisting the older students.

"We've found that he really helps them when they are a bit stressed out about their studies or if they have exams or assignments due," she said.

It is not uncommon for Paddington to spend time at the Dean Centre on campus, or in the library, assisting students who are working.

"He really is a calming presence, he has a great temperament for that," Mrs Wolstencroft said. 

Mrs Wolstencroft said staff members have also embraced the puppy on campus and have come to request to take him for a walk or for him to spend time with them in their classrooms or office.

While Paddington is not yet accredited as a therapy dog because of his age, he has been learning "on-the-job training" and will be enrolled in a therapy dog accreditation program as soon as possible.

In addition, he will soon be enrolled in puppy school to ensure he has all the training and socialisation with dogs and people.

Mrs Wolstencroft is seeking expressions of interest from the community for those who'd like to participate in a therapy dog training program.

In 2017, she organised for an interstate trainer to come to Launceston and train a group of dogs to work in schools. Last year she tried to do the same but could not meet the quota of dogs per trainer.

She is organising another therapy dog training course for 2019 for later in the year. The course will run for five days but if anyone is interested please contact Mrs Wolstencroft at Scotch Oakburn. 

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