WSS Facility Dog

The power of Iris 🐾

Thank you to The Advertiser for sharing Iris’s story and highlighting the positive impact facility dogs can have in education and student wellbeing.

We are proud of Iris and the difference she continues to make every day at Wirreanda. Be sure to check out the full story on page 22 in The Advertiser and celebrate the amazing work of our four-legged team member, along with the other deserving nominees in the competition.

Congratulations to all the incredible dogs and their owners/handlers who make a positive difference in the lives of others. 👑🐾

Guide Dogs Australia

We are excited to share that our hardworking Facility Dog Iris has been nominated and selected as a finalist in The Advertiser’s Legendary Dogs of SA awards - Hero Category. 🌟

We are grateful for the nomination and honoured to be included alongside other amazing and deserving dogs.

Iris spends her days bringing comfort, support and joy to so many and we would love your help in celebrating this well-deserved recognition. Let’s get behind Iris the way she gets behind so many others and show our support with a vote and share!

If you’re an Advertiser subscriber, you can cast your vote using the link below ⬇️

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/were-on-the-prowl-for-south-australias-most-legendary-dogs-of-2026-nominate-now/news-story/a091a2988fb4f5af66563c4af0637bd0

Thank you for your support and helping recognise the impact Iris has in our community. 🐾

📸 Photo credit - Event Photo

Guide Dogs Australia

Maintaining Iris’ health and wellbeing is an important part of supporting her valuable role at Wirreanda Secondary School.

Students from across the school have participated in interactive learning sessions focused on the care and welfare needs of animals. Through puzzles, worksheets, discussions and practical demonstrations, students explored the responsibilities involved in caring for an animal while gaining valuable knowledge and hands on learning experiences.

The sessions encouraged students to make connections between Iris’ wellbeing needs and their own, including healthy eating, hydration, exercise, rest and social connection. These comparisons sparked meaningful conversations about the importance of looking after both ourselves and others.

Well done to all students involved, it was a wonderful opportunity to build learning, empathy, responsibility and respect for living things. 🐾



 

Facility Dog Iris supports guided meditation by encouraging students to match her slow, rhythmic breathing while offering comforting pressure, creating a sense of calm, safety and connection.

During the sessions, students practice breath work to slow the body and mind, body scanning to build awareness, visual prompts to support focus and gratitude practice to encourage positive reflection. Further practices including intentional lighting, calming sounds and soothing scents providing students with tools they can replicate at home to support emotional regulation.

With Iris present, students are able to regulate emotions and experience the benefits of co-regulation in a safe and nurturing environment. These sessions continue to strengthen mindfulness skills, emotional wellbeing and everyday strategies for calm and focus. 🐾

Winter has arrived and what better time to start creating blankets ready for the colder months ahead.

Supported by the Facility Dog, our dedicated group of students have been hard at work making pet blankets to be featured in our Facility Dog stall and donated to local animal welfare organisations providing warmth and comfort.

This hands on project offers students a valuable and meaningful learning experience. As they measure, cut, pin and sew, they not only strengthen their fine motor skills but also develop a stronger sense of focus, patience and attention to detail. The task also provides a wonderful opportunity to practice sewing techniques and build confidence in using tools and materials.

Beyond the practical skills, the project encourages team work, creativity, problem solving and a sense of pride and accomplishment seeing the cosy creations go toward a good cause.

We are so proud of the thoughtfulness, care and effort students have shown. Learning through doing and giving back to the community in a way that truly matters.

Iris has completed the comfort test and gives them four paws up! ✅🐾