By Alesha Capone
A Labrador named Ted is bringing plenty of smiles to pupils and staff at Werribee Primary School.
Ted, whose owner is leading teacher – student engagement and wellbeing Laura Secrieru, began visiting the school last year when he was 12-weeks-old.
He has since been appointed the official School Helping Dog, as part of a trial being run by the Werribee Primary School wellbeing team.
The trial is the brainchild of social work student Elise Underwood, who is doing a placement at the school.
Mrs Secrieru said Ted was not a trained therapy dog, but has been helping to increase pupils’ engagement and attendance through his weekly school visits.
Before Ted became the School Helping Dog, pupils participated in a special “Ted talk” where they were taught that he is also learning during his classroom visits.
Mrs Secrieru said the pupils learned to demonstrate the school’s values of respect, responsibility and resilience around Ted, so that he can learn them too.
Ted, who is now nine-months-old, also plays with youngsters during recess and lunchtime, and attends staff meetings.
The school has also installed a letterbox where pupils can mail letters to Ted.
Miss Underwood said the letters could by written by an entire class or individual pupils.
“A lot of letters say: ‘We love you Ted, you’re so cute, please come and visit us’,” she said.
