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Northern Tails - Sept 16

Rescue dogs make a calming influence Recently there has been a scientific study showing that interacting with dogs can help people to relax before and during stressful life events. Research shows stroking a dog increases levels of serotonin and dopamine which helps people to stay calm. The Dogs’ Home was invited to the School of Physics & Astronomy at Manchester University and the Sir Thomas Boteler High School to work with stressed out students before their exams. We offered the students a relaxation session ahead of their exams with Max, Poppy, Betty and Wallace, some of the Cheshire dogs home’s display team / PAT Dogs and all ex residents, a display team that do many displays throughout the year for the Dogs Home. Deputy Head teacher Mr Paul McAleese from Sir Boteler High School arranged the relaxation session before an important GCSE English exam and he said many of the students found it to be a calming effect before the exam. The school did a collection of dog treats/food and toys to thank Cheshire Dogs’ Home. A higher number of students from the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University signed up for the relaxation session so we had to run four sessions. Su Huzar that set up the session at the Dogs home said: “I just wanted to thank you and your colleagues and doggies for visiting the School of Physics & Astronomy last Wednesday to provide some relaxation and “down time” for our students ahead of their forthcoming exams. The event was a huge success and the student feedback has been very positive and enthusiastic and all agreed it helped them to de-stress. Yourself and your colleagues made the visit interesting with your talks to the students on the day to day running of the Dogs’ Home and also on the individual background of the dogs.” Please contact Cheshire Dogs’ Home if your school, college or university would like more information about us doing a session for you. F E A T U R E 1 6 N O RT H E R N TA I L S S U M M E R 2 0 1 6


Northern Tails - Sept 16
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