Cathkin High is first school in South Lanarkshire with an assistance therapy dog

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Cathkin High in Rutherglen are the first school in South Lanarkshire to have an assistance therapy dog.Gus, an adorable border terrier, began working in the school in August 2022, undergoing extensive training with Diane Marshall from ‘A Dog's Best Friend’ to fully join the school community.One year later, he passed his Assistance Dog training and is now a fully licensed UK Assistance Dog - making Cathkin High the first school in South Lanarkshire Council to have one.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android An S1 pupil who works with Gus said: “Gus is so funny and cute – I love spending time with him.

If I feel upset or worried, being with Gus always makes me feel better. It’s definitely the highlight of my week.“My favourite thing is when he plays football.

He’s better than me.”Although Gus is part of Team Cathkin to support all learners with their health and well-being, he has been specifically trained to support learners who attend the Additional Support Needs base.Learners love spending time with Gus and in an evaluation carried out just before the summer holidays, cited that spending time with Gus had been their favourite experience of the year.Gus has his own timetable to incorporate contact time with learners, play and rest times, and he even has his very own nameplate on Deputy Head Lynn Blair’s