In a classroom at the Sainte Jeanne d'Arc institute in Brignoles, southern France, the atmosphere was far from typical that Thursday. As several Year 7 pupils sat together to work on managing their emotions, a very special companion strolled calmly between the desks. His name is Balto. He is five years old and spends his days enjoying cuddles and quiet relaxation. This gorgeous Tervueren Shepherd and Majorca Shepherd Dog cross is taking an active part in an animal-assisted therapy trial introduced at the secondary school.
For young girls like Émilie and Emmy, who usually feel deeply anxious about school tests, the dog's presence acts as a truly soothing balm. As soon as the four-legged friend wanders over for a stroke or lies down in the middle of the group, accumulated stress quickly vanishes, leaving a sense of calm in its place.
A calm sanctuary amidst the school routine
This gentle initiative was launched by Spanish teacher Marie-Christine Laussucq, who has taught at the school for 35 years, along with dog trainer Astrid Contessa. The scheme supports a group of twelve pupils from specialised classes or those dealing with learning difficulties. Twice a month during lunchtime, the pupils enjoy these special sessions alongside the dog.
As reported by local newspaper Nice-Matin, the aim is not merely to offer a fun break. Instead, it uses this reassuring environment to practise reading, writing and maths without any fear of judgment. The dog brings an immediate sense of comfort, helping the teenagers let go of their worries and express themselves more freely.
Restored smiles and visible progress
The benefits of this heartwarming scheme were noticeable right away. Astrid Contessa is delighted to watch faces light up as soon as the dog arrives. One particularly shy pupil instantly felt inspired to communicate while working alongside him. Parents have also been deeply moved, noticing that their children are finally looking forward to going through the school gates in the morning.
As proof of the special bond that has formed, the youngsters now make a habit of attaching touching little notes to Balto's harness at the end of each session to say thank you. Given such promising results, the teaching staff hope to make these canine visits permanent and expand them to bring even more smiles to pupils' faces.
Translated from the FR Wamiz website using artificial intelligence
