I remember it clearly. My MUS interview in the fall of 2023. At the end of the interview, my manager asks me if there are any other things I would like to change?
I had been thinking about the idea for a long time. School/reading dog. In fact, it was a dream that started when my husband and I picked up Oswald in the winter of 2020. But I work in a primary school and had often thought that it would probably never become more than just a dream. Because can you really do that?
But for this MUS interview, I still let the sentence slip from my lips: “I would like to work on having my dog as a school/reading dog in my class and teaching.”
I could feel my heart beating a little faster at that suggestion. I wonder if my manager would laugh at me in a moment? Say that it was a good idea, but of course it wasn’t possible? But all those thoughts went straight to the trash when my manager exclaimed: “I’d like to hear more about that!”.
The following months I investigated the subject further. Did anyone else have a school/reading dog? What were people's experiences? Oswald is a big dog, will the children be scared? And what about allergies?
A few months later, I gave a presentation to my manager and with my own arguments and good experiences from others, he said yes!
In January 2024, Oswald therefore started as a school/reading dog, and in the spring I had him certified as a reading dog by the Foundation for Social Responsibility to be sure that others could also see the qualities that I myself think Oswald has in his work as a school/reading dog.
At first it was hard work. Everyone had to turn to each other. The children had to learn the rules around Oswald. He had to learn what he could and couldn't do, and even the adults had to learn a few rules at first so I could make sure it was a good experience for everyone.
At first, I brought the fabric cage that Oswald sits in to competitions. It helped make it clear to everyone when he had a break.
I work in a preschool, and at first it required a lot of eyes in the back of my head when I had Oswald with me. The children found it very difficult not to look in or stroke his head if he sat up in the cage. But the children got used to it quite quickly, really tough. Another rule was that the 1-2 children who sat next to Oswald and worked when he was out on his blanket were the ones who were allowed to talk to him. The other children had to leave him alone, because it was and is important to me that Oswald doesn't feel squeezed.
Oswald is a large Labrador of 37 kg, who is gentle and gentle, as the day is long. But he is also a boy who loves everyone with his whole body. That is why I was curious to see if he could take into account that these are small children. However, that part came very naturally to Oswald, and since the children otherwise learned to keep their hands down at hip height, that part came very easily. Slowly the novelty value decreased, and when it became calmer and everyone had gotten used to each other, it was and still is the greatest gift to have Oswald in the class.
I have always known how much our dogs can and give, but I have become even more aware of how much love there is in our best friends.
Best regards and paws up
From Oswald and Trine.
About the blogger
Trine lives in Djursland with her husband Oliver, two old cats and the Labrador Oswald who is from 2020. On a daily basis, Trine works as a pedagogue and teacher at a local elementary school, where Oswald is a school/reading dog twice a week. In addition, they train tricks, dog dancing and rally, they have also just started sniffing out FCI rally. When Trine is not at work, her free time is spent with Oswald and the weekends are often filled with dog training and competitions.
Oswald is a big soft boy who loves everything and everyone - and preferably with all his 37 kg at once. He may be big on the outside, but he is sure that he was born to be a lap dog. He loves to sleep at the foot of the bed under Trine's blanket, and preferably on his back with all his paws in the air.
Oswald loves to go wherever the trip takes him, whether it's visiting family, a picnic, training or when he goes abroad on vacation.
If you want to follow their everyday life a little more, you can find them on Instagram under @oswaldthelabrador.
Elementary school and school/reading dog - can you do it?
I remember it clearly. My MUS interview in the fall of 2023. At the end of the interview, my manager asks me if there are any other things I would like to change?
I had been thinking about the idea for a long time. School/reading dog. In fact, it was a dream that started when my husband and I picked up Oswald in the winter of 2020. But I work in a primary school and had often thought that it would probably never become more than just a dream. Because can you really do that?
But for this MUS interview, I still let the sentence slip from my lips: “I would like to work on having my dog as a school/reading dog in my class and teaching.”
I could feel my heart beating a little faster at that suggestion. I wonder if my manager would laugh at me in a moment? Say that it was a good idea, but of course it wasn’t possible? But all those thoughts went straight to the trash when my manager exclaimed: “I’d like to hear more about that!”.
The following months I investigated the subject further. Did anyone else have a school/reading dog? What were people's experiences? Oswald is a big dog, will the children be scared? And what about allergies?
A few months later, I gave a presentation to my manager and with my own arguments and good experiences from others, he said yes!
In January 2024, Oswald therefore started as a school/reading dog, and in the spring I had him certified as a reading dog by the Foundation for Social Responsibility to be sure that others could also see the qualities that I myself think Oswald has in his work as a school/reading dog.
At first it was hard work. Everyone had to turn to each other. The children had to learn the rules around Oswald. He had to learn what he could and couldn't do, and even the adults had to learn a few rules at first so I could make sure it was a good experience for everyone.
At first, I brought the fabric cage that Oswald sits in to competitions. It helped make it clear to everyone when he had a break.
I work in a preschool, and at first it required a lot of eyes in the back of my head when I had Oswald with me. The children found it very difficult not to look in or stroke his head if he sat up in the cage. But the children got used to it quite quickly, really tough. Another rule was that the 1-2 children who sat next to Oswald and worked when he was out on his blanket were the ones who were allowed to talk to him. The other children had to leave him alone, because it was and is important to me that Oswald doesn't feel squeezed.
Oswald is a large Labrador of 37 kg, who is gentle and gentle, as the day is long. But he is also a boy who loves everyone with his whole body. That is why I was curious to see if he could take into account that these are small children. However, that part came very naturally to Oswald, and since the children otherwise learned to keep their hands down at hip height, that part came very easily. Slowly the novelty value decreased, and when it became calmer and everyone had gotten used to each other, it was and still is the greatest gift to have Oswald in the class.
I have always known how much our dogs can and give, but I have become even more aware of how much love there is in our best friends.
Best regards and paws up
From Oswald and Trine.
About the blogger
Trine lives in Djursland with her husband Oliver, two old cats and the Labrador Oswald who is from 2020. On a daily basis, Trine works as a pedagogue and teacher at a local elementary school, where Oswald is a school/reading dog twice a week. In addition, they train tricks, dog dancing and rally, they have also just started sniffing out FCI rally. When Trine is not at work, her free time is spent with Oswald and the weekends are often filled with dog training and competitions.
Oswald is a big soft boy who loves everything and everyone - and preferably with all his 37 kg at once. He may be big on the outside, but he is sure that he was born to be a lap dog. He loves to sleep at the foot of the bed under Trine's blanket, and preferably on his back with all his paws in the air.
Oswald loves to go wherever the trip takes him, whether it's visiting family, a picnic, training or when he goes abroad on vacation.
If you want to follow their everyday life a little more, you can find them on Instagram under @oswaldthelabrador.