Luna the School Dog

At St Michael's CE VA Primary School we are fortunate to have a Cockapoo called Luna. She has arguably become the most popular member of our school community since joining in the summer of 2026.

Luna is a gentle and calm dog and comes with lots of school experience, having worked in another primary school for over a decade. She provides a myriad of benefits that contribute to the holistic development of our young learners, as well as fun entertainment!

She is able to offer emotional support, serving as a comforting companion for students navigating the academic and social challenges of education. Her presence has been able to alleviate stress, anxiety and create a nurturing atmosphere conducive to personal growth.

Luna loves her role at school and she spends time greeting children and parents in the morning, listening to everyday troubles, as well as helping to teach children about dog ownership and safety. She loves to be rewarded with a treat or taken for a walk around school.

By interacting and caring for Luna the children are able to develop their social-emotional learning by fostering empathy, compassion and responsible behaviour. They also develop valuable interpersonal skills that are essential for success and build their confidence around animals.

Studies have demonstrated that therapy dogs in schools can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration, encouraging students to maintain focus, attendance and active participation in their studies. The opportunity to spend time with our beloved furry friend at St Michael's can really provide an extra incentive for students to excel academically and embrace the school community.

Luna has been a great ambassador for the school as she enriches the educational experience, promoting well-being, social-emotional development and academic success amongst our pupils.

Having been the first school dog in Essex, Luna has helped support the introduction of dogs in to school settings across the county.

Luna was trained by a dog behaviorist and is owned by our Deputy Headteacher, Mr Evans.