WITH cake, camaraderie and a whole lot of love, Shepparton ACE Secondary College marked a heartwarming milestone on October 23 as Bonnie, the beloved Australian Cobberdog and the school’s wellbeing ambassador, celebrated her first birthday.
Adored by one and all throughout the college, Bonnie has become an integral part of the school community, spreading joy and comfort among students and staff with her exuberant wag of tail, friendly, familiar sniff and generously offered paw.
As a representative of the Australia-wide Dogs Connect Program, Bonnie plays a crucial role in fostering mental health and wellbeing throughout the college and her friendly gazes and gentle, loving presence help forge meaningful connections, offering a sense of calm and emotional support when needed.
First set up in schools across Victoria, Dogs Connect now sees over 100 schools Australia wide with wellbeing dogs such as Bonnie, lighting up corridors and classrooms with warmth, wet noses and licks. Providing emotional support and giving students and staff an opportunity to alleviate stress and anxiety, wellbeing dogs are also a wonderful way to foster a culture of empathy and responsibility.
Gently introduced to the college at just three months of age, the college ensures that Bonnie is well taken care of in return, ensuring a daily routine of walks, visits to classrooms and free periods to take a well-deserved snooze under teacher, Meg Roberts’ desk. ‘Mum’ to Bonnie, Meg said, “Bonnie is a main source of emotional comfort and connection in the school and encourages students to talk about their own connections with beloved, soothing pets at home. Bonnie starts everyday greeting everyone and always has more love to give.”
