Meet Murphy – Our School Dog 🐾
Murphy is our much-loved school dog and an important member of the Harnham Infants family!
Murphy is a five-year-old Red Fox Labrador who has been part of Miss Dorrington’s family since he was a puppy in September 2021. He lives with Miss Dorrington and usually comes into school around three days each week.
Murphy has completed his Pets As Therapy (PAT) training and has a very special role within school. His calm and friendly nature means he can support children – and sometimes adults too! – with emotional regulation and wellbeing. Spending a little time with Murphy can provide a quiet, calming moment during a busy school day.
Murphy helps us in lots of different ways. He sometimes greets children at the school gate and accompanies them into school or to their classroom, particularly when someone needs a little extra encouragement in the morning. He can provide companionship and reassurance for children who may be feeling worried, overwhelmed or unsettled.
Murphy also helps children to learn about dogs and dog safety. Some children arrive at Harnham feeling frightened or unsure around dogs, and carefully planned, gradual experiences with Murphy can help them to develop confidence and understand how to behave safely and respectfully around animals. Children are never expected to interact with Murphy if they do not want to.
One of Murphy’s favourite jobs is being a reading dog! Each week, thanks to our lovely volunteer Mrs Lister, children have the opportunity to read with Murphy. Reading to a dog can be a wonderfully relaxed experience: Murphy doesn't correct mistakes, hurry anyone along or mind if a sentence needs to be read twice – he is simply very happy to listen!
Murphy has also taken on a new role as our Seesaw helper! Look out for Murphy’s Weekly Seesaw Tip, where he will be helping families to discover useful features and get the most from Seesaw. We’re not entirely sure how good his IT skills are yet, but he has excellent support from the Harnham team!
Having Murphy in school provides children with opportunities to develop empathy, responsibility and an understanding of the needs of another living creature. They learn that, just like us, dogs communicate how they are feeling and need their own space, rest, care and respect.
Murphy's welfare is just as important to us as the children's. His time in school is carefully managed, he has a quiet place where he can rest away from children, and interactions with him are supervised and appropriate. We are also mindful that some children and adults may have allergies, cultural considerations or simply prefer not to be around dogs, and these wishes are always respected.
Whether he is listening to a story, helping someone through a tricky morning, teaching children how to be safe around dogs, sharing his latest Seesaw tip or simply bringing a smile to someone walking past, Murphy makes a very special contribution to life at Harnham Infants.
We think he might have one of the best jobs in school – although he does accept payment in cuddles! 🐾
