Meet Guthrie Street Primary School’s newest addition

His name was announced at the school’s assembly on Friday after suggestions were submitted from each year group, including some interesting ones, like Pancake and Milo.

Student leaders Noah Wells and Rhys Borysiewicz are excited to welcome Louis to the school.

“It’s so good to have him because he can help others if they need him,” Noah said.

“Hoping to be able to do cool stuff with him like taking him on fun runs and take him to swimming carnivals and stuff like that. Just good that he’s there for the support,” Rhys said.

Louis was sponsored by the Victorian Education Department, which has a mental health fund for various support programs for schools, and the Dogs Connect program was one of them.

Guthrie Street Primary School principal Brendan Bicknell said Louis came at the right time after two years of a pandemic and constant lockdowns.

“So, this all really stems from two years of COVID-19 and having kids experience mental health issues from that,” he said.

“Our connect dog Louis will work in classrooms and support kids dealing with anxiety and mental health which has been built up over a period of time with kids being home-schooled for the last two years during COVID-19.”

Despite Louis making his debut at the school on Friday, he’ll be undergoing training and getting his vaccinations over the next month before being at the school permanently next term.

When Louis returns, he will take part in a wide range of activities with different children.

“As a wellbeing dog, he’s for all kids and is not just meant to be linked with one particular child,’’ Mr Bicknell said.

“He’s going to go across the school and do a range of different things with the students.

“In the mornings, for those kids that are anxious coming into school, Louis will help them transition into school, he’ll go into classrooms and they might do a lesson based around wellbeing dogs and if kids are a little bit angsty in class they will be supported through that.”