Sign In

Bob The Wonder Dog

June 25, 2020

Young Public School added a new addition to its classrooms last term, but it’s only now that school has returned that students are truly able to see the benefits of their new classmate.

The three-year-old former working dog is now a therapy animal who was brought in to help children in a calm, active but therapeutic way.

“It’s been a very difficult time so far this year with COVID-19, thankfully Bob has been here to help the children cope with everything that has gone on, he is just a joy to have here,” Young Public School principal Edwina Wymer said.

“The children love to read to him, they take him for walks and he has also visited several classrooms.

“He’s a very sweet boy who has not only benefited the students, but the staff as well.”

Bob is the pet of Jane Caldow (School Administrative Manager) who would sometimes bring him into school during pupil free days.

“He would come in and sit by my desk during student free days and Mrs Wymer would comment on the calming effect he had and say that we really should get a dog for the school,” Mrs Caldow said.

When the wheels were in motion Mrs Caldow had to have Bob assessed by Debra Coleman, in Orange.

It was no surprise to Mrs Caldow or Mrs Wymer that Bob passed his assessment with flying colours and became a certified therapy dog.

“It’s been a learning curve,” Mrs Caldow said. “At first I thought he would be able to go all day, but I soon realised he would get tired very quickly.”

Thanks to that learning curve Bob now has half-hour breaks to nap in between mingling with students. Bob also only attends school three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“He needs that day in between to rest,” Mrs Caldow said.

When Bob is at home he likes to go for a daily run and relax according to Mrs Caldow, he also visits her daughter and son in law’s farm where he runs around with their dog, and around five times a year works with the sheep.

Bob not only provides emotional support to students, he is also helping them to regulate their emotions, developing social skills and responsibility as well as many other skills that are so important to the growth and development of children.

Register your Dog Schedule a Visit

  • Recent News

    Students Get Therapy Dog

    When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dogtor

    Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dog Pups

    When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]

    Read more

    Therapy Dogs At School

    Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you.  Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet.  They […]

    Read more

    Wonder Dog

    For those of us with dogs, we know they quickly become major parts of the family. You live for and care for just like one of your own children, and one dog right here in Oklahoma City is beating the odds, and helping others recover as a therapy dog, despite all of the issues he’s […]

    Read more

    Scott And Charlie

    Cherokee Middle School students may do a little more “doodling” second semester starting this month (January), but also will improve their attendance marks because of a special attraction at the school, courtesy of Principal Scott Aden. Aden, an effective, caring administrator, has acquired and will house and handle a young female Golden Doodle (Charlie) that […]

    Read more

    Hope For Veterans

    E5 Therapy opened in April with a different way to help veterans in therapy. They offer canine-assisted therapy along with talk therapy to veterans and veterans’ families in Solano County. Owner Matthew Decker is a licensed clinical social worker in Northern California, focused on helping veterans achieve their mental health goals. Along with his team, […]

    Read more