Meet Missy - our very own school Christmas Beethoven!

Marvellous Missy the headteacher’s very popular Saint Bernard is enjoying her first Christmas as a school therapy dog and boosting wellbeing across her school

She could be Britain’s biggest therapy dog - and most certainly is one of the calmest and cutest.

Marvellous two-year-old Missy is proving extremely popular as a therapy dog at Isca Academy in Exeter, Devon.

She is helping the 11-16 year old nearly 1000 scholars to feel calmer as they arrive and leave school, and learn in the classroom.

Now Missy, at 75cm tall and 70 kg in weight, the friendly, laid back pooch will celebrate her first Christmas at Isca Academy and will attend all the major events.

Research shows that therapy dogs have been proven to boost children’s cognitive skills, social interactions, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and offering a boost to laughter and fun.

Dogs can also teach compassion and respect for other living things as well as relieving anxiety, improving behaviour, attendance and concentration, reducing stress and improved self-esteem. 

Headteacher Vicki Joyce said: “Missy has been an absolute star. As part of her daily duties, Missy aids the well-being of our scholars, looks after those who are having a tough day or who need some additional support.

“She is a big dog with a massive heart, making a huge positive impact across the school with calmness off the scale that makes everyone feel relaxed. She is boosting wellbeing in so many ways.”

Vicki added: “Missy also completes reading sessions where scholars can ‘Read with Missy’.”

Studies also show that dogs also boost the sense of a school being a family environment, and boosting confidence in reading.

In recent years Sir Anthony Seldon, University of Buckingham vice-chancellor, called on all schools to have a therapy dog, declaring it was a powerful way to help children feel secure at school and boost their wellbeing.

According to dog experts, Saint Bernards are laid-back loving, gentle, eager to please and brilliant with children, making them superb therapy dogs.

Two popular children's movies of the 1990s, “Beethoven” and “Beethoven 2,” capitalised on this trait to tell stories of a lovable Saint Bernard's adventures with his suburban American family. In 2011 John Cleese starred in Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure.

Saint Bernards have deep roots in myth and legend.

Although traditionally thought to have originated at a monastery-hospice in the Swiss Alps in the 11th century, the dog's first verifiable appearance at the monastery, or anywhere else, probably occurred about 600 years later.

Experts believe that these first monastery dogs were intended for use as watchdogs.

Historically, St Bernard dogs were used to aid pilgrims and other travellers making the treacherous journey across the Alps, forging the dogs’ reputation as dutiful companions with an extraordinary capacity for rescue. Today's Saint Bernards are known not only for their historic exploits, but also for their love and devotion to their human companions, especially children.