Scooby, our wonderful Labradoodle therapy dog from Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland (ADNI), joined the Mount St. Catherine's community in September 2026. Since his arrival, he has become an important and much‑loved part of school life, offering calm, consistent emotional support to pupils across both our specialist provision and mainstream classes.

Every morning, Scooby is ready at the school gates to greet the children as they arrive. His friendly welcome helps to create a positive start to the day and has made a noticeable difference to pupils who may feel anxious or unsettled in the mornings.

Scooby also follows a structured weekly timetable of therapeutic activities in our nurture room, The Beehive. Here, he works closely with pupils who benefit from additional emotional regulation, sensory breaks, or quiet time. Alongside this, Scooby visits classrooms throughout the school, helping pupils develop confidence, resilience, and motivation in their learning.

Thanks to Scooby’s calming presence and the supportive routines built around his work, many of our pupils are more settled, less anxious, and better able to engage with the school day. We are proud to note that our overall attendance has significantly improved since Scooby joined our school family.

Scooby brings warmth, comfort, and joy to our corridors, and we are delighted to have him as an essential part of the Mount St. Catherine’s team.💕🐶⭐️