Jaxon the therapy dog and youth work  

Youth work within Solihull Academy is important as it reaches out to young people on their level as a professional friend. This helps to build trusting and long-lasting relationships where young people feel they can talk about absolutely anything knowing the advice you will give will be non-judgemental with their best interest at heart, based on non-formal and informal learning, this supports their wider learning exploring values and beliefs building confidence and life skills that will stay with them throughout their transition into adulthood.

Jaxon and his owner & handler Jane, are an integral part of our Solihull Academy Family. 

Jaxon knows when young people are stressed or upset, as most animals do. He puts himself right on them at their feet and they begin to pet him, this has an instant impact on their emotions, and they begin to visibly calm down and soon can return to a more normal state of emotion. The children look forward to seeing Jaxon and always greet him in the mornings, he gets excited as soon as he puts his bandana on in the morning, knowing where he is going. 

Jaxon and Jane have been fully accredited by PAWS Therapy Dogs and you can read his full assessment here. 

At the end of his intensive training course, his assessor had this to say: 

"Jaxon is a fantastic young GSD and breaks the mould of the breed. Jaxon’s gentle and friendly nature is wonderful to witness with the students and staff."

Jaxon 100% enjoys his job here at Solihull Academy.