Every Thursday afternoon throughout November, members of Raglan CiW VC Primary School’s Service Children Club had a very special visitor. Artie, a community dog from the Support Paws programme, delivered by our colleagues at the fantastic charity Veterans With Dogs, joined the pupils for a series of sessions.
The Support Paws programme brings community dogs into schools to provide tailored support that goes far beyond standard school‑dog activities. Their evidence‑based approach has been carefully developed to help military‑connected children and young people with emotional wellbeing and social connection.
Artie’s handler, Sarah, has drawn on her own lived experience to help shape this programme. With a husband currently serving in the Armed Forces and two teenage children, she understands the unique pressures Service children face: frequent moves, parental deployments, and constantly changing school environments. These transitions can bring emotional and academic challenges that many civilian families do not encounter.
Headteacher Sarah Marles said: “It is a fantastic initiative, and we were thrilled to be involved. We truly appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you in delivering such a meaningful and supportive experience for our children. We are excited to share the positive impact this programme has had, with pupils demonstrating improved emotional resilience and growing confidence. It has truly fostered a nurturing environment for our pupils.”
With Caroline Hammond, the club lead adding: "Thank you so much for organising the Support Paws programme, the children have thoroughly enjoyed their time with Sarah and, of course, Artie. The programme was really helpful, not just for the children as Service Children, but also for the children facing everyday challenges like moving house, transition to a new class and transition to secondary school. Sarah was incredibly friendly and patient with our children and Artie is so well-behaved and calm - the children loved giving her a 'nose-bump' at the end of every session."
A huge thank you to Veterans With Dogs, Sarah, the Support Paws team, and—most importantly—Artie, for working with SSCE Cymru to bring this wonderful opportunity to a school in Wales. We hope to run more sessions together in the future.
"Gynted ag ydych yn dod i arfer i dŷ, rydych yn cael eich symud – rwyf wedi bod mewn pedair ysgol ac wedi symud chwech gwaith."
Aiden
"Roeddwn i’n byw yn Nepal, yna aethom i Brunei, yna Malaysia."
Ashim
"Drwy fy llygaid i mae gennych gannoedd o ffrindiau mewn llefydd gwahanol."
Chloe
"Dwi di arfer symud rŵan a chymysgu gyda’r plant... Dwi di neud o gymaint o weithiau mae’n rhywbeth arferol rŵan."
Chloe
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