Paws4Minds Supporting Schools in The Humber region

We are so proud to have our Noodle supporting the children & staff of Frederick Gough School (Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire) & Driffield School, in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

We are supporting students who are struggling in the mainstream classroom environment. They all have different & often complex reasons, from neurodivergent minds to trauma, but they all struggle to cope with being in a classroom.

It's great to see schools nowadays looking to understand & trying their best to support such students.

Many have high defensive barriers as they have been let down by people they should be able to trust.

Noodle goes into these schools and spends time with the students. We have seen so many what would be small steps for us but huge strides being taken by the teenagers.

Noodle doesn't judge; he just wants to play, be fussed, or sometimes just sit calmly being fussed. Some of the students will run, chase, and play fetch with him. This helps them to regulate their minds and bodies, especially if they have so much built-up excess energy.

For others, sitting & chatting with him, they are able to be themselves in a safe and calm space with Noodle. He doesn't judge & can't talk, so won't give an opinion.

As the weeks have gone by, I can see many of the students relaxing. Their defensive barriers are gradually lowering, and sometimes they chat more freely with the staff and even with me.

Some even start schoolwork with Noodle present. He doesn't have to sit with them; he will often walk around or just have a nap. I see them look up at him and then continue the task. This is huge for some students; they are calm and have managed to regulate to sit calmly and concentrate, even if it is just for a few minutes. Every positive step is an achievement, in my opinion.

These children have potential. For whatever reason, the classroom setting does not bring out positive emotions for them. Having such supportive school staff is fantastic and helps them to progress in life.

#mentalhealth #wellbeing #neurodivergents #trauma #schools #adhd #autism #support #education #wellbeingsupport #therapydog #wellbeingdog

How Noodle helps people:

Noodle helps people in so many ways. Some people struggle with their emotions and feelings, Some people struggle to cope with situations due to neurodiverse conditions. Others may struggle due to ill health

Noodle enables people to get away from their thoughts both from the past & thinking about the future. Being focused on what is happening around you and enjoying the moment, is mindfulness.

Noodle thinks he is a lap dog

Are you mindful or is your your mind full?

The person has different thoughts, thinking about what has happened, what is going to happen & what could happen. The dog is just looking ahead and seeing the trees, sunshine & open space. The dog is enjoying the present moment & not thinking about anything else.

I can apply this to Noodle's visits with Paws4Minds. Often people we visit, have many worries, pressures & are suffering from stress. The stress they endure, affects their mental health. They often struggle with their emotions & coping with situations that are around them

What often happens is Noodle enters the room, he usually has a little explore, with the permission from those who have organised the visit, tail wagging, ears up, looking happy, relaxed & playful. Straight away I see the reaction and body language of the participants change. You see them starting to be at ease & interested

Noodle encourages interaction, it is usually with a ball in his mouth. When he wants it throwing or rolled, he comes over stands and wags his tail. Other times he will drop the ball near the person & gives them a gentle nudge with his nose. For most people they find this funny, they smile & does what he wants.

If he catches the ball I praise him, he likes to do a little lap of honour, to show how clever & happy he is, I think he knows it makes people laugh & gets him even more attention & reaction.

Other times, he is happy to sit on a chair or sofa. He likes people sitting next to him. Gently rubbing his belly, chest, ears or stroking his head.

Straight away Noodle, has helped to lower people's guard. They don't realise they have done this. Noodle has done this without talking, no questions & without seeking answers. Something us humans struggle to do.

Once people are relaxed, often conversation follows more naturally & freely. Now the staff have a pathway opened, to find ways of communicating & finding out the information they may need

For someone who is struggling & who likes dogs, this is a natural form of therapy. Noodle is not invasive, he wont interfere, ask questions. Noodle forms a bond of trust, love & support. He helps them to feel calm and more relaxed, so they start to feel happy and more at ease and comfortable.

Noodle does not judge people on their thoughts, opinions or feelings. Once he knows & trusts he is happy to interact often in his own fun & loving manner. People end up feeling more relaxed when they stroke, interact & talk to Noodle

Noodle is a gentle, friendly, and a loving boy. He is social and likes the company of people. This is his form of therapy & support, so it becomes a two way support system

Visit: www.paws4minds.co.uk for more information about Noodle & our services.

Paws4Minds go to college

Noodle, the Paws4Minds Therapy Dog

During the 8-12th September was a new chapter for those entering Further Education at Hull College. Noodle & myself were delighted in supporting the students at the start of their pathway into adulthood. The first week can be daunting, confusing and overwhelming for some people.

A new place, with large buildings, with several floors. Having to negotiate around a place, with so many people, having to learn many names, where classrooms are and a new time table.

Noodle's role is to give a source of comfort to those who need it but also be there who are happy & have good mental health

Noodle, the therapy dog, receives gentle affection while offering comfort and joy to those around.

During Monday to Wednesday the aim was to enable the freshers to meet & learn about Noodle. We made our base in Hully Gardens, which is a central communal area, where people can eat snacks, have a coffee or just sit & relax. Its a central part of the main building which so many people pass through. I set up table, with information and Noodle sat near me on one of the comfy type sofa.

Noodle making himself comfy in the reception area

Individuals, groups of friends & staff would come & say hello, some choosing to sit with him for a few minutes, others stroking him quickly as they passed by. We sat and chatted with students. some were happy and excited but others were feeling overwhelmed.

Many of the students were intrigued by Noodle's presence on campus. I explained his role as a Wellbeing Support Dog/Therapy dog. He is non judgemental & his love is unconditional.

The amount of smiles and also happy faces as they saw him, showed how, his presence alone helps improve people's moods by just being there.

Noodle is well known by staff and second year students. We often don't see how busy education staff are or the pressures they face in their roles. The staff definitely enjoy Noodles company and appreciate seeing him as he brings a sense of joy & happiness with his happy face & wagging tail.

Noodle is happy to sit & cuddle with people

Thursday & Friday, we both walked around the campus. Noodle was invited into classrooms & staff areas Noodle loves walking around visiting different rooms. . He does like to investigate and discovers where stashes of food & snacks are kept by staff, maybe he could be trained as a sniffer dog, as a second job?

We were invited into a maths classroom, the technology wasn't playing ball, students couldn't log in. We were walking past, the tutor saw Noodle and invited us in, as everyone was a bit stressed. He soon lightened the mood. She said she needed him more than the students

People would come say hello & make a fuss of Noodle

We popped to see the Data Services Team, they deal with time tables etc, they were more than happy to see Noodle, have him sniff around & stroke him. He made them laugh as he knew where the biscuit cupboard was, nice try Noodle but to no joy.....I know I'm mean, poor boy.

There were so many people and departments that we said hi too, you'd be here all day reading this blog.

I can certainly say he is popular with staff, as he is with the students.

When Paws4Minds work with organisations, we want to support their staff, students, service users/clients, this for me makes our visits so rewarding.

From all different roles & departments. It doesn't matter who you are, mental ill health can affect anyone. There are also different types of mental ill health from stress to severe mental illness & having understanding & developing empathy, can really help people and potentially save lives.

Noodle is a holistic and discreet form of therapy. Often people don't even realise he has supported them. During many occasions he has sat there, letting individuals stroke him, he engages with his paw, tail wagging or even showing people his tennis ball in his mouth. Noodle helps reduce cortisol levels, increases serotonin levels & helps people to bond & socialise with increase of oxytocin. Dogs help to lower blood pressure too. All these help bring a greater sense of calm. These are just some of the simple and basic scientific benefits, there are many more