As part of our efforts to support students with their well being we conducted the first of our ‘Pet Therapy’ sessions last week. After a trial run earlier last term, we gave sixth form students the chance to relieve some of the stress they may be feeling over exam season cuddling up with some of our adorable support pooches and bunnies. There was even a chance for lower school pupils in Pupil Support to enjoy the same sort of therapy. Research has shown that simply petting an animal lowers the stress hormone cortisol , while the social interaction between people and animals actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies).
