Tails were wagging at Risedale School on Tuesday, 23rd June following a very special visit from a wonderful four-legged friend.

The school welcomed Pumbaa, a fully trained support dog from the national charity Pets as Therapy, who was brought in by volunteer William. Pupils from the Risedale Centre had the unique opportunity to spend time interacting with Pumbaa in a dedicated, hands-on session.

The initiative was designed to provide powerful emotional, social, and sensory support from a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) perspective. Pupils benefited from the calming sensory experience of stroking Pumbaa, which helped lower anxiety, boost communication confidence with a non-judgmental listener, and give their self-esteem a wonderful lift.

The session was a resounding success, and both staff and pupils are incredibly grateful to Pumbaa, William, and Pets as Therapy for bringing so much joy and comfort to the school.

#TeamRisedale 💙💜🧡❤️ #BEST

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