'Everyone loves her' - School in Boston welcomes new starter with a difference - Florrie, the dog (VIDEO)

The eight-week-old border collie/bearded collie crossbreed has joined the team at Boston Grammar School as a therapy dog.

Florrie had her first day at the Rowley Road school on Monday (February 23), and, over the coming weeks, will slowly be introduced to school life.

Once settled, the plan is for her to provide emotional support to children; both as part of planned sessions, but also more ad hoc, perhaps when someone is feeling anxious or stressed and could do with her calming presence, for example.

Florrie takes her name from the school motto and song Floreat Bostona (Latin for ‘may Boston flourish’).

She is owned by the school’s assistant headteacher for achievement Amanda Cook, who brought her home for the first time during half-term.

At school, Florrie counts Holly Emery, the assistant headteacher for inclusion, as a handler. Mrs Emery is the school’s special educational needs and disabilities coordinator and it is anticipated the two will work closely together in this role.

Miss Cook and Mrs Emery said they have been talking about introducing a therapy dog to the school for years.

It is something that has been used at other schools and is seen to have benefits for children’s wellbeing, they said.

A great deal of planning had gone into finding the right dog for the school, they said. It was felt a puppy, for instance, would be the best approach, as they could become familiar with the school environment from a young age.

Florrie comes from an experienced breeder recommended to them by a member of the school community, and was put forward as a possible therapy dog due to her calm temperament.

Conscious that not everyone is keen on dogs, parents were also notified of the plans.

However, as Mrs Emery said: “We have had nothing but positive feedback.”

Florrie has had limited exposure to the school to date – activities have included: meeting the head boy and head girl, attending a governors meeting, and also joining Mrs Emery for gate duty.

This is partly to give her time to get acclimatised, but also because she sleeps for about 17 hours a day.

“We are making sure she gets her rest,” said Miss Cook.

Despite her fleeting appearances, she is most definitely having an impact at the school.

“There is just a buzz,” said Mrs Emery.

“The sixth form will come and knock on my door and say ‘please can we meet her, Miss’,” said Miss Cook.

The children were praised for how they have responded to Florrie’s arrival.

“The boys have been absolutely amazing,” said Mrs Emery. “They have been very respectful.”

“They don’t crowd around her, they ask if they can pet her,” she said.

Speaking to The Standard on the day the paper paid Florrie a visit, Year Seven pupil Nathan Tauskela, 12, of Boston, said: “Everyone loves her. She’s like the school mascot.”

“Even out of school, we have all been discussing her,” he added.

Florrie, for her part, is settling into the new environment quicker than expected, Miss Cook and Mrs Emery said

“She seems very calm, very chilled, she loves attention – definitely a people-dog,” Mrs Emery said of her personality.

“She has blown us away, really,” Miss Cook said.