Preston Lodge High School has welcomed its newest member of staff – and he has four legs and a waggy tail!

Bon the retriever is a former care home therapy dog who will be visiting Preston Lodge weekly as part of the school’s support for young people.

Bon will be working alongside staff to provide a nurturing, engaging environment for pupils who find any aspect of school life challenging or who require therapeutic intervention.

Bon visited the school on Friday (December 16) for the first time where he received his official pass and met staff and young people.

Preston Lodge pupils, who ranged from S1 to S4 and had a variety of learning needs, loved meeting Bon and spent an hour with him in school learning about his care.

While working at the school Bon will also support reading groups too. Evidence has shown the benefits of reading to dogs as a way to develop and improve literacy skills and confidence through the dog’s calming and non-judgemental presence. It is something that has been successful in Dunbar Grammar School’s own programme.

Preston Lodge High School has recruited Bon as part of a wider project within their Pupil Support Faculty.

Laura Martin, deputy head teacher at Preston Lodge High School, said: “Bon is an excellent addition to our team. He loved the attention and really brought out the best in our young people.

“Within our Pupil Support Faculty at Preston Lodge we believe passionately in the holistic wellbeing of all of our young people and Bon fits perfectly with our vision for the future.”