Some of my friends

Skateboarding fun

Playing ball 

Looking proud

Admiring the view

Swimming

Introducing Google Bear

Google the Golden Retriever that many of you will be familiar with is now 4 years old.  He has recently qualified as a Level 3 Assistance Dog and is now the Ambassador and Demonstration dog for Dog A.I.D.

Google has now completed his second year working in a North London Borough Schools. What started as a demonstration of Google’s skill at assemblies, has developed into helping young people to read.  His popularity has also meant he has been into Haringey and Hertfordshire Schools. Wherever he goes he gets invited back.

Assemblies always follow the same routine. The emphasis is changed according to the theme of the Assembly but usually follows the lines of helping others, friendships and teamwork.  We always try to get Google to interact with the member of staff whose assembly it is.  He really enjoys undressing people on stage!  Google was very popular in one primary school before Christmas when he pulled the injured Rudolph in Santa’s sleigh using the idea that Google was going to help deliver the presents instead.

All the children want to stroke and cuddle him, even the 16 year olds and 6^th formers! His name gets chanted as he walks into his regular schools and he just laps up all of the attention.  His calm demeanor goes a long way to allaying some of the fears young people have about dogs as often their only interaction is negative, seeing aggressive dogs on the streets in the areas they live. The staff is equally impressed that a dog can take your jacket and socks off, do the washing and answer the phone etc.

The fascination that a dog can learn to do some of the skills that he demonstrates has lead to the development of lessons where we talk about how he learns, which is no different from the way they learn. This ‘Learn to Learn’ lesson is very popular, particularly in Year 7, showing the children (and sometimes the teachers) the importance of rewards and making learning fun.  The visual impact he has really cements the principles of a good learner. This is usually used as a lesson with young people who have challenging behaviour. The satisfaction they get out of Google doing something they ask is very rewarding. The concentration and behaviour they show when he is in the room is very different from their normal lessons!  It makes no difference to Google if he is performing in front of small groups, classes or hundreds in and assembly; He takes it all in his stride.  He gets treated like a celebrity, his own treats, bowls and even head teacher’s ring their PA’s to bring him water!  He was part of an award evening at a secondary school in front of parents and people from the local authority, going up on the stage with the head on his own when called, standing with a slow wag of his tail lapping up all the applause!

Next academic year he is going to support Year 7 low level readers and Year 5, through a literacy project that has been specifically written around Google, his friends and his life. Every week his diary picks up different elements of behaviour and it is hoped, that because he is non-threatening or judgmental, it will encourage children to read the diary extracts and give them confidence to tackle their fears of reading.  In addition to all this, I often get asked if he can be used as a reward for individuals or classes.  He has also made a transition DVD for Year 6’s moving to Year 7.

Wherever he goes he is always asked back.  He has seen thousands of young people over the last two years and has had the opportunity to change the way many people perceive dogs.  One of the things we often hear is, ‘I don’t like dogs, but I like you!’   The children often offer me millions of pounds for him too!