Meet Mylie - Loughborough College's new four-legged staff memory

The four-month-old cockapoo puppy is currently in training to become the College’s first-ever therapy dog and will become a regular on campus.

Mylie has been recruited to support students who may be struggling with mental health.

The mental health charity Young Minds said the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll on the mental health of young people, with 67% of young people saying the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health.

Dannii Donovan, the College’s Safeguarding and Inclusion lead, is Mylie’s owner. She said: “There have been numerous research studies which show the benefits of therapy dogs in schools and we hope Mylie will become an integral part of our college community by supporting students experiencing mental health challenges.

“It is the first time Loughborough College has used a therapy pet as part of its student support offer and she has already made a difference to a student I’ve been working with.”

Mylie has already helped Level 3 Sports student Cara Gallop, 18, when she was struggling with her own mental health.

She said: “Any strategies to support the increasing number of young people who face mental health challenges is fantastic and, in Mylie, I think the College has taken a brilliant step in the right direction because therapy dogs offer a companionship that you may not be able to find in those around you.

“Encountering any form of mental illness is one of the most draining and exhausting experiences anyone can face, so my hope is that Mylie will help other students in their fight, as she helped me.

“She’s also so irresistible to people that she’s a great way of starting the conversation about mental health and I think we need to talk about it more openly.”

Mylie said, 'Woof.'