Education Today Education Today Magazine
The UK’s first-ever School Dog of the Year Award is now open for nominations with schools invited to recognise their canine companion’s extraordinary achievements.
Launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) and the National School Dog Alliance (NSDA), the award celebrates schools that have successfully integrated dogs into school life to enhance student well-being and educational outcomes.
Schools from all educational stages – including early years, primary, secondary, all-age and special schools – are encouraged to nominate their school dog for the award, which will be presented at a special ceremony at the Palace of Westminster in summer 2025. The winning school will receive a trophy, together with a fantastic prize pack for their dog, including treats and a bespoke training package. Runners-up attending the awards ceremony will receive goodie bags for their school and their dog.
This exciting initiative is supported by children’s charity Kidscape, which provides practical support and advice to challenge bullying in both schools and communities. It is sponsored by protein ball manufacturer ‘It’s The Dogs’.
Dr Helen Lewis, Chair of the NSDA, commented: “This new award shines a spotlight on the innovative and responsible ways schools are integrating dogs into their learning environments and celebrates best practices in utilising school dogs across the UK.”
She continued: “For schools, this recognition is much more than a trophy. It is a demonstration of their willingness to take innovative approaches to improve student well-being and confirms that their school dog’s involvement in the daily life of their school is managed safely, ethically and with the welfare of both students and the dog in mind.”
Dr Marc Abraham OBE, vet and co-founder of APDAWG, added: “More and more schools are discovering the benefits a school dog can bring – whether in improving student well-being, fostering social and emotional development, or in strengthening human-animal relationships.
“By recognising schools that are leading the way in this area, we hope this new award will inspire others to take on a school dog and that the awards ceremony will be a joyful occasion during which we can all celebrate the value of dogs in education.”
