At Polam School & Nursery in Bedford, success starts with a wag of the tail. Ruby, Polam’s gentle therapy dog, is far more than a school mascot. She’s a quiet star with a growing reputation for nurturing young children, not just academically, but emotionally too.

Ruby’s presence is deeply felt across the school, especially during the weekly R.I.S.E. lessons led by Deputy Head and Nursery Manager, Mrs Wharton.

“Children can’t learn if they don’t feel safe, heard, and valued,” explains Mrs Wharton, a trained wellbeing coach. “That’s where R.I.S.E. comes in – it stands for Resilience, Independence, Self-awareness, and Empathy,” she says.

“These are life skills, and we teach them in a way that’s playful, age-appropriate, and deeply meaningful.”

So, what does Ruby actually do?

During sessions, Ruby sits or lies alongside the children, giving them the chance to stroke her, brush her fur, or even read stories to her. These simple interactions create a calm, non-judgmental space where children feel comfortable exploring their feelings.

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