A miniature goldendoodle called Nigel is supporting children’s mental health through weekly visits to a Hackney primary school.
The eight-year-old dog and his owner Melissa Clarke, 51, visit Millfields Community School every Wednesday.
They work with Empathy Animals UK, a non-profit organisation that sends therapy dogs into schools for hangout sessions with children that need extra support.
Sessions are personalised according to each child’s needs.
Talking to Nigel about their week, teaching him tricks and reading to him are some of the most popular activities.
One parent said time with Nigel helped her daughter feel less anxious about starting school late due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “Just knowing that once a week she had some special time with this brilliant character, Nigel, was just really special for her.
“It’s just the sweetest thing in the world if you’ve got time with an animal on a one-to-one basis.”
Millfields’ deputy head Debi Cookhorn runs the sessions and said they have also been beneficial for school refusers.
One boy was allowed to see Nigel if he came into school on Wednesdays and then began attending even when Nigel was not in.
Despite not seeing the dog this term, his attendance has continued to be better.
Debi added: “The sessions are one of the nicest parts of the week because it’s a really calm space – I always joke and say it’s for my wellbeing as well.”
Animal-human interaction researcher Dr Helen Lewis explained that children focus on seeing Nigel instead of worrying about school.
Dr Lewis said the confidence they build with Nigel then translates to the classroom, allowing them to more easily make friends or talk to teachers.
Melissa said: “You could pull Nigel’s tail or drop something in front of him, and he doesn’t care.
“He is the most sociable little dog in the world – he loves everyone.
“Nigel is famous in his own right, that is for sure.”
Nadia Saad, 48, founded Empathy Animals in 2020.
After a traumatic event at age five left her struggling to communicate, her mixed-breed rescue, Rusty, sat with her and made her feel safe.
Nadia wanted to help children that may similarly be struggling but might not have animals at home to comfort them.
She said: “I had a bit of an epiphany where I just burst into tears.
“I didn’t know what it looked like, and I didn’t need to know, I just went for it.
“It’s been really emotional, but in a good way, to know that we’ve made it happen.”
Empathy Animals is holding their annual dog show fundraiser at Millfields on September 28, where dog-lovers can enjoy activities like dog photoshoots and dog trick masterclasses as well as the 6-category competition.
Featured photo credit: Assassynation Photography
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