An Alternative Approach to Health and Well-Being

This workshop will explore the use of a Canine Partner working in a small GFE College as part of Fareham College’s commitment to supporting students through health and wellbeing.Fareham College is a member of the Healthy FE College’s Network and gained Health FE College status in 2010.  

Over the past year, the College has explored lots of different initiatives to support students with complex medical needs. The appointment of a registered general nurse (Mel) to oversee health and wellbeing in 2010 has enabled the College to develop a reputation for supporting students who otherwise may not be able to access education. These have included two students dialysing in College on a regular basis. What started out as a one day experiment, negotiated with a single member of SMT, to bring Lola in to the College, has now expanded to Lola working with students in the College four days a week with significant benefits for staff and students.  Lola has also taken part in an Ofsted Inspection and received specific recognition.

This workshop will share the experience of Fareham College in introducing a canine partner into the workforce, the benefits of having a working dog to support staff and students and some of the ways that specific groups of students, students as a whole and the reputation of the College have all benefitted from this specific and particular type of support.  Canine Partners, the charity that funded Lola’s training, are now considering allowing other dogs to support students in colleges.Information about the College’s use of a canine partner will be provided including data collected on the types  of medical conditions that have most benefitted from this support. There will be a significant amount of time to ask questions and to meet Lola herself.