ALVA ACADEMY celebrated Mental Health Week in the school with the grand opening of their new Doggy Den.

The innovative space will allow pupils to access a therapy dog, Buddy, which in turn will teach younger kids social skills and responsibility.

For older pupils, focus will be placed on improving self-esteem at school, learning about positive and negative reinforcement and helping communicate.

Scott McKewan, headteacher at Alva Academy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Buddy and the Doggy Den to our school family.

“The impact a therapy dog can have on a young person’s day is extraordinary and having the Doggy Den is the perfect area to take a step back from a busy school day.

“We are grateful to our colleagues Sandy Parker and Wendy Robb for bringing this fantastic resource to fruition.

“We would like to thank Donna Dickie from Diamond Dogs for agreeing to cut the ribbon following her hard work and donations.”

Buddy and the Doggy Den was officially opened on Friday, May 17 and is the product of the generosity of pupils, parents, staff and partners.

The idea came about after pupil feedback from three years ago indicated that this would be a positive addition to the school.

Therapy animals have been in use in various schools across the country, particularly instances of pupils spending time with llamas during the exam period.

Time was spent ensuring that the perfect dog was found for the project, with Sandy Parker’s dog eventually being the chosen pup.

“The sun shone for the opening of our Doggy Den on Friday,” Sandy added. “It is a shining example of what can be achieved when the school and wider community work together.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to all our friends, colleagues and pupils who contributed so much.

“It really will make a wonderful addition to the range of supports we offer to our young people at Alva Academy.”

The Doggy Den is a physical space located on the ground of the school and provides a calm, quiet space for pupils to take a breather from their studies.