3 39
“He’s taken away my fear of dogs and being with him gives me a sense of comfort.” Humphrey has also been a ray of sunshine for Amelia Couch, aged 11. “Dogs can sense when you’re upset,” she said. “Humphrey is like my little therapist. “I was crying about something once and he licked my tears away. Dogs are very supportive. “We love dressing him up in all his little outfits too – he’s like a teddy bear.” Over at Monmouth School for boys, Lyndsay Hope and her husband David have been house parents for 10 years. They have noticed it’s not just the pupils who benefit from a full house. Treacle the black Labrador, seven, Dylan, aged 19 and Isis the retired greyhound, who’s six, live with them at school.
Tony Little BSA Honorary President
Celebrating our Jubilee “They also bring a lot of fun to the house. “Treacle helps to tuck the boys in at night – she really likes going around the house withheating, David. abundant food and wraparound 24/7 pastoral care from boarding professionals. “She’s very entertaining because she tries
t gives me enormous pleasure Mrs Hope said: “I’vethe always had dogs, to write foreword to this mainly rescues. “Isis was quite quick in of celebration marking 50 years her racing days, sheSchools’ was a winner on the(BSA). to empty the bins and she’s a shocking the Boarding Association track. And that doesn’t even consider the access thief. The BSA was formed just a couple of years “When we brought her home to school and broad co-curricular “She loves Pancake Day. If programmes. the boys flip three boarding years agoinshe thewas late terribly 1960s. afraid of the pancake in the air and they fall to the men and doors – petrified of anything That thelightning change has been so great of floor, she’s fast to pick themisup!” unusual new. To and board at Eton then was to say the least Harry course well known who work Simpson boardstoatthose Monmouth a formative experience. The school was “The positive effect worksand both ways – as it of course as historic traditional living with the boys has really helped with her confidence she’s with them Summer ofand Love andfine Sgt Pepper. now.”
If these two worlds were sharply The Hopes have had since she contrasting then,Treacle contrast them again to was a boarding pup. today.
in boarding. The hard is explaining School’s New House, runpart by Alex and the seismic to theto outside world, Georgie Peace leap - parents two-year-old especially or sceptical Clemmie andjournalists springer spaniel Tilly.parents.
Harry, aged 14, said: “This is my second yearYet in throughout boarding. all that has changed there has been a constant, reassuring and presence: BSA.and it was a “I’vevalued got two dogs atthe home
nice surprise to have Tilly living at school. “It’s definitely friendlier and more relaxed “It’s really heartwarming and lovely to about see in withOxford For all Mr Wilson’s 1960s rhetoric July 1965 BSA has been a dog in - they havethe such a good that the are able comfort boys thedogs ‘white heat’ ofto change there wasinlittle energy. there, rather like a long-serving and a way evidence that we can’t – it’s magical really,” of that in boarding schools then. warmly trusted boarding house matron. Mrs Hope continued. “Tilly reminds me of my dog when she “We find boys whoinadequate feel a bit homesick or dormitories, heating, poor shy, and also who care are easily food andboys pastoral in the hands of distracted, findwere the common dogs have a calming prefects attributes. effect on them. Fast forward 50 years and what a
what comes to mind wasSo younger and takes mywhen mindone off thinks of the BSA? things if I’m ever homesick.” Professional development, expert advice, an increasingly strong voice to government and journalists, information provider for prospective parents and
Fellow boarder, Nathan Pugh, 15, added: “I always wanted a dog but my parents said I’d have to take responsibility and convenor of the boarding family for look after it. conferences and events.
“It feels really homely in New House, but all this and,homelier.” swan-like, much aThe dogBSA justdoes makes it even more besides, in exchange for a modest Recently, the canine companions gave annual subscription. schools across the country something to
bark about on Twitter after Humphrey That we aneed BSA and all its inspired newthe hashtag. valuable services is beyond doubt as we contemplate the next 50 years Thanks to his dashing selfie beingof boarding. by the Boarding Schools’ retweeted
Association, who thanked him for starting The challenges are great and manyschools – their #boardinghousedog gallery, and we don’t knowtowhat the boarding were encouraged share photos and landscape will look 2065, howtomany fun facts about the like petsinwho help boarders we will serve or howfor many create a family environment boarders across the UK.
But however things unfold, it is an enormous comfort to know the BSA is there with us on the journey.
Thank you BSA, and good luck as you plan By Nikki Knowles your centenary!
PR and Social Media Manager Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools
Tony Little BSA Honorary President 2015-2016
“Dogs just make you feel happy much more than cats do.”