Dogs are playing an increasingly important role in helping children struggling with anxiety, according to new PAT research involving more than 300 schools across the UK.

The research, carried out in a partnership with Swansea University School of Social Sciences, found 96% of schools surveyed said visits from PAT Dogs support children dealing with stress or anxiety, while the same proportion reported improvements in children’s happiness and the overall wellbeing of the school.

Teachers described the visits as “transformational” for some of their most vulnerable pupils, including children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, experiences of trauma and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

Schools also reported that dogs can help children improve their social skills and increase their enjoyment of reading.

“What is striking is how consistently schools describe the difference these visits can make," says Professor Helen Lewis from Swansea University’s School of Social Sciences. "Teachers aren’t simply telling us that children enjoy spending time with a dog; they’re reporting children feeling calmer, communicating more confidently and returning to the classroom more ready to learn.

“For some of the most vulnerable pupils, including children with SEND and those struggling with anxiety or attending school, teachers describe that impact as transformational.”