Baxter is a popular member of the Grateley House Shool community and also with visitors to our school.

He is continuing to settle in well to school life, coming into school every day with Mrs Pereira. He has seemingly adjusted well to his work life routine. 

Baxter enjoys seeing the students and staff and greets them with a wagging tail, a lick and occasionally an affectionate nibble of the fingers! He can be very cheeky and will often try to join a meeting when held in the Principal’s office by sitting on one of the chairs at the table, or whilst people are talking he will find his squeakiest toy to play with!

Mrs Pereira, Sophie our Pastoral Lead and Melissa our Behaviour Support Lead are all completing the PAWS Therapy Dog training as they are Baxter’s identified handlers.

On the 2nd April 2025, Baxter had his first visit from Ali, who is a PAWS Training Assessor. Baxter was on his best behaviour and received a glowing report.

Here is an excerpt from the PAWS Spring Term Training Report

“Baxter is doing well in school. He is a calm boy and is confident with all humans.” (April 2025)

During the visit Ali explained it is really important that Baxter has two ‘down days’ each week where he is off duty and his contact with people must be limited to his handlers and the office staff. These days will be clearly detailed on Baxter’s timetable.

We will be organising an assembly so everyone understands how they can support Baxter whilst he trains to become a PAWS Therapy dog.  We will also confirm his allocated ‘down days’.

It is really important he learns positive behaviours and we are all able to play a part in helping him along the way.

We will be working with Baxter on ‘Loose lead walking’ and the command ‘Leave it’ ahead of the Summer term training visit.