What's up dog?

Bryn is a special dog. I rehomed him from a loving home, who wanted him to live his best life.
Bryns best life is where he has access to lots of people, with whom he cane form loving, giving relationships. He is an exceptionally affectionate young dog, who GIVES cuddles. He puts his two big front legs on either side of a chosen persons head, on their shoulders, and cuddles in with his body, smooching with his nose.
As a girl told her friends happily after shed been in the counselling office with me at school ˜I got cuddled by a dog!'
Bryn understands when people are sad. He doesnt crowed them. He just makes his way slowly to them, putting his nose quietly in their hand.
When one boy was particularly sad, he just lay on the floor. Ben went to lie beside him. Slowly, Bryn moved so he was lying with his heart on the boys heart. The boy quietly cuddled in to hold Bryn, who stayed quiet and let the tears fall onto him.

When a group of boys comes into the counselling office, Bryn wants to show them that hes a cool dude, so he shows off throwing his toys around, making people laugh, and breaking the ice so they can talk.

Bryn also makes the teachers happy. He comes into the staff room and spreads smiles, affection and love around. He makes sure they go to class feeling more relaxed for having had a cuddle, pat or smooch.
Of course he has his favourites. He has a crush on certain staff, and cannot walk by them with giving them the special Bryn Big Cuddle.

Sometimes he comes into difficult meetings in the principals office. He is such a good boy! Just by his quiet, soft presence people relax. He helps meetings go well, and sometimes allows people to smile even when the situation is very stressful for them.

Bryn makes a difference for so many lives at his secondary school. When he stays with a carer, people say to me ˜ Wheres Bryn, you just dont look right today!

Many many young people struggle with their mental health. In our area they are desperately under-serviced by support agencies. Bryn cant diagnose ADHD (yet?) , or run a restorative hui when things go wrong, but he can sense depression, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and does his part in the world to help.

Teaching is a complex and stressful occupation, maybe especially at secondary level. Bryn loves visiting in classrooms, making his way around the staff room during meetings, and adding gentle joy to the days of tired teachers.