Coonabarabran Times (digital) - 9.11.23

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THURSDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER 2023

COONABARABRAN – THE ASTRONOMY CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA

A FIERY PROBLEM PAGE 2

Fur real?

BLOOD DRIVE

Coona High’s new mascot Over the last few months, Coonabarabran High School students have welcomed a new face to the school – one with four legs and a wagging tail! by JIMMY WHALAN The school’s new suppor t dog, Bear, has been welcomed by t h e s c h o o l co m m u n i t y with open arms, as the new co m pa n i o n a n i m a l m a kes a positive impact with both students and staff. C o o n a H i g h t e a c h e r, D r Michael Ar mstrong said although many people might be tempted to call Bear a ‘therapy dog’, the lovable Labrador is much more than that. “Bear is our ‘wellbeing’ and ‘companion’ dog, carefully selected to support students a n d s taf f em ot i o n a l l y,” D r Armstrong said. “Guided by his handler, Bear is here to make a difference in the lives of our school community.” Dr Armstrong said the benefits of having a school dog had been well - documented, with studies showing that the p resence of a dog du r i ng stressful times can significantly reduce anxiety. “With Bear around, we aim to c re ate a m o re re l a xe d and cond ucive l ea r n i ng environment, as 92 per cent of students have reported feeling

calmer during teaching and learning sessions when a dog is by their side,” he said. The school’s canine companion has also led to improved attendance rates, as students eagerly anticipate interacting with Bear every day. “Many students who m a y h a ve s t r u g g l e d w i t h communication find solace in Bear, fostering connections that were otherwise challenging to establish.” Bear has also provided support to students dealing with trauma, significant loss or grief, providing a compassionate presence to comfort students through emotionally challenging times. D r A r m s t ro n g s a i d B e a r al so taught students an important lesson on the value of responsibility and empathy, as students learn to care for him, ultimately aiding in their personal growth and leadership skills. “In this flexible and adaptable app roach, Bea r i s set to make a paw-sitive impact on our school’s emotional and educational landscape.”

1 - Coonabarabran Times, Thursday, 9 November 2023

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