{"id":4576,"date":"2026-02-25T06:37:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T06:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nlcssingapore.sg\/?page_id=4576"},"modified":"2026-05-15T05:41:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:41:09","slug":"meet-kona-our-educational-assistance-dog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nlcssingapore.sg\/ja\/meet-kona-our-educational-assistance-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Our School Dog, Kona"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kona: Our Educational Assistance Dog<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Every great school community has a heartbeat and at NLCS (Singapore), that heartbeat has four paws. Kona joined our campus as our first-ever school dog<\/strong>, making NLCS (Singapore) the first international school in Singapore to have a resident, professionally trained Educational Assistance Dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kona is more than a school dog, she is a professionally trained Educational Assistance Dog and a carefully managed, purposeful member of our pastoral care programme, present in corridors, common rooms, and quiet corners wherever she is needed most. Research consistently shows that interactions with dogs lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and improve social connection in children of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kona is an apricot and white Cavapoochon, a breed well known for its affectionate temperament, intelligence, and calm, friendly nature, making it particularly suited to working with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2026<\/div>\r\n

Year Joined<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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5<\/div>\r\n

Certified qualifications & licences<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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50<\/div>\r\n

Books Read Together<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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\u221e<\/div>\r\n

Tail Wags per Day<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \n\n\n

Why Kona Works<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Numerous research studies have shown the benefits of therapy dogs in schools which have been increasingly commonplace in the UK, Australia and the USA for many years now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cognitive<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulates memory, problem-solving and game-playing.
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Social<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourages responsibility, well-being and focussed interaction with others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Emotional<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improves self-esteem, lifts mood, teaches compassion and relives anxiety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Physical<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation and motivates movement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Environmental<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increases the sense of a family environment, with benefits continuing long after the school day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Stress & Calm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a few minutes with Kona can help students reset. Research suggests that petting a dog lowers stress hormones and increases feelings of connection, so Kona’s calm presence isn’t just lovely, it’s genuinely good for learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading & Confidence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kona never interrupts, never corrects, and never judges. Students who read aloud to her build fluency and confidence in a completely pressure-free environment, sometimes the best listener says nothing at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kona has a unique ability to help students feel at ease with one another. For new students especially, she acts as a natural social bridge, belonging often begins in the smallest moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Kona Does<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kona\u2019s timetable is as full as any teacher\u2019s, and her presence is always met with great excitement. From therapeutic reading sessions to community dog walks open to the whole school family, here is what she gets up to across our community every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Storytime with Kon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An open library session for younger children and their parents. A story is read aloud while Kona settles nearby. Afterwards, children have a few quiet minutes with her. It is the simplest thing we do. It is also one of the most loved.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Walk and Talk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An informal check-in where students can walk with Kona and connect with a trusted adult. No agenda, no pressure, just a moment to talk, move and feel supported.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Morning Greeting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever she\u2019s in school, Kona can often be found in the lobby, offering students a warm and friendly start to the day.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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New Student Welcome<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining a new school is daunting at any age. Kona meets every new student, breaking the ice in the most effective way possible.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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School Tours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prospective families receive the true NLCS experience: a guided tour with Kona as co-host.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Events & Assemblies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From sports days to celebration assemblies, Kona attends as the community’s most enthusiastic supporter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

All interactions with Kona are optional and take place with parental consent. We are mindful of individual comfort levels, allergies and cultural preferences, and Kona’s schedule is carefully managed to keep her happy and healthy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Qualifications & Certifications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kona is a fully trained, rigorously certified school wellbeing professional. Every qualification she holds has been earned with purpose, and underpins the safe, high-quality interactions she brings to our school community every day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Ongoing<\/div>\r\n

The Dog Mentor Programme<\/h3>\r\n
Currently training with this specialist charity to facilitate her primary role in emotional support and student stress management, Kona’s core professional qualification.<\/div>\r\n
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Completed<\/div>\r\n

Early Foundation Training<\/h3>\r\n
Completed intensive puppy training beginning at 8 weeks old, including environmental conditioning from public transport to acclimation across both internal and external school environments.<\/div>\r\n
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Completed<\/div>\r\n

Puppy University Licensed<\/h3>\r\n
Successfully transitioned to advanced training stages, focusing on engagement techniques and impulse control, the nuanced, situational skills required in a busy school environment.<\/div>\r\n
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Completed<\/div>\r\n

School-Specific Certification<\/h3>\r\n
Specialised training focused on safe, high-impact interactions with both children and adults in an educational setting, from Junior School to Senior School.<\/div>\r\n
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Completed<\/div>\r\n

Singapore AVS Regulatory Compliance<\/h3>\r\n
Fully licensed in accordance with Singapore’s Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) standards, the national regulatory authority governing animal welfare and public animal licensing.<\/div>\r\n
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Events with Kona<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

From open mornings to special community days, Kona features across a range of events throughout the school year. Register your place below, limited slots available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Book a School Tour with Kona<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Our school tours with Kona are something families talk about long after their visit. Tour our world-class campus with Kona as co-host, meet our admissions team, and see NLCS (Singapore) through fresh eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What to expect<\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A guided experience across our world-class campus, from our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre to our sports facilities, Junior School classrooms, and Sixth Form spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n