Welcome, Mabel!
This week, I’m delighted to introduce a fresh College initiative to support the health and wellbeing of students at Waverley. Our new Therapy Dog, Mabel! Our new College Psychologist, Ms Samantha Jessen, has recently completed specialised training through Therapy Dogs Australia, and with Mabel she is now a certified human-canine therapy team.
Mabel is a 17-month-old blonde Golden Retriever. Because research continues to acknowledge the positive, healing impact that animals have on our health and wellbeing, supporting student engagement, social skill development and calming, we expect that student interaction with Mabel will deliver numerous social, emotional and physiological benefits.
Student interaction with Mabel is voluntary. A Risk Management Plan is in place, however we appreciate that some parents/carers may still have concerns about their child’s interaction with an animal within the Waverley College environment.
To this end, we have prepared a ‘Meeting Mabel – Opt Out’ form for parents/carers who would like to exercise this choice.
We encourage you to take the time to:
- View the photo of Mabel
- Click here to learn more about Mabel, Therapy Dogs and the evidence-based benefits of Therapy Dogs within the classroom
- Read the comprehensive introductory letter from our Wellbeing Team
- Complete the ‘Meeting Mabel – Opt Out’ form if necessary
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
