Glenties school leads the way in inclusiveness - with a helping paw from Oreo

In a first for County Donegal, St Columba’s Comprehensive School in Glenties has welcomed a very popular new member to the team - Oreo, the school’s community dog.

Oreo joined the St Columba’s community in time for the start of the school year, and is already making a big difference to school life for a number of students. 

Principal Brendan O’Mahony is delighted with how Oreo is being received.

And his arrival coincides with another major development for the school, the opening of its first autism and multiple disabilities classrooms.

Mr O’Mahony is passionate about ensuring that all students have as positive a school experience as possible, and Oreo plays an important role in helping that to happen.

“Even on the first morning, we could see the big impact that we hoped for,” he said.

Some students will have the opportunity to spend time with Oreo on a one-to-one, under the supervision of staff who have been trained as handlers.

“It is hugely beneficial for students with anxiety, students who find coming to school to be challenging, there are so many ways in which Oreo is having a positive impact already,” said Mr O’Mahony.

“We took him out to meet some of the students on their first day here and it is a great way to start conversations and help them all to get settled in.”

The Glenties principal worked in schools in England for 12 years and saw first hand the incredible difference a therapy dog could make to students, particularly those suffering from anxiety.

“In one case, there was a child on the floor unable to move and the dog would come in and lay down next to them or put his chin on their lap,” he said. 

“It is proven that even being around dogs lowers your heart rate and calms you.”

Naturally, there was a little bit of concern among parents and the school community about having a dog in the school. But so far, the reaction has been very positive.

Three members of staff - two teachers and a special needs assistant - have been trained as handlers, and Oreo is controlled at all times while in the school environment. 

Oreo was reared and trained by the Irish Guide Dogs who raise dogs either as guide dogs for the blind, autism assistance dogs or community (therapy) dogs. 

“They choose the dogs that are most suited for each role and then focus their training,” said Mr O’Mahony.

“Oreo was suited to being a community dog. 

“When you apply for a community dog, Irish Guide Dogs assess your situation and decide if you are suitable, and if they have the right dog available for you at the time. 

“We feel very lucky to have been approved, and to have Oreo join our team. We are privileged to be one of only 14 schools in Ireland to have a community dog. 

“My colleagues have been great in how they got involved and underwent training.

“It is all about doing what we can to help students reach their full potential.”

Mr O’Mahony is also delighted with how students are settling into the new autism and multiple disabilities classrooms.

“The new classrooms mean that students will be able to go to school in their own community,” he said. “That is vitally important.”

“Before, they would have been bussed to specialist schools outside their community. That meant that when they grew up and left school, they had no relationships with other people of their age in their own town.

“Being able to meet their needs here in St Columba’s Comprehensive School means that they go to school along with their siblings and peers and so they form friendships and are part of their community in a truly inclusive and meaningful way.”

Oreo’s working time is regulated so that he has four fixed sessions per day.

And he gets to enjoy a happy life outside of his working duties, living with one of the staff members who is trained to handle him.

“Oreo really gets to unwind and enjoy life when he goes home at 4pm,” said Mr O’Mahony. 

“He enjoys the company of other dogs and gets to run around at the beach and do all the things that dogs love doing.”

The school has plans to add another classroom to its new suite in the coming year.

Mr O’Mahony said: “We are so proud to have these classrooms and to be able to meet the needs of all the people coming to us.”