Testimonial
Schools and Colleges we have supported
What they say about us
Dont take our word for it, have a read of what some of the schools we support have to say about us.
Children who struggle to regulate their emotions have been observed to display improved communication skills and have gained a great deal from the experience of building positive relationships….Not only do individual children benefit, but the whole school community has also enjoyed having (The Baxter Project) on site.
Emma ThomasAdamsdown Primary School
As a wellbeing and safeguarding lead of many years’ experience I cannot overstate the impact of their presence in our school setting and how they have significantly improved the outcomes for so many of our young people.
Marc BattenBassaleg School
It has been an extremely worthwhile experience and I would recommend The Baxter Project to other schools who are considering getting involved.
Susie LakeBrynmawr Foundation School
The Baxter Project has become an incredibly effective part of our wellbeing provision as well as an integral part of our school community. (The Baxter Project) has succeeded in engaging and enthusing several students who have failed to respond to other wellbeing initiatives.
Laura GlennonBryn Celynnog Comprehensive School
We have witnessed significant developments among the pupils who access the provision, both in terms of their emotional wellbeing and their social skills. (The Baxter Project) also informs us, as a school, of the needs and emotions of our young people and thereby help shape the ongoing school based pastoral support.
Mike O'BrienCardiff High School
We at Cardiff West CHS pride ourselves on our commitment to pupil wellbeing and The Baxter Project is an integral part of our pupil support system, as such, I would not hesitate to recommend The Baxter Project to any school that values pupil wellbeing.
Sarah BurtCardiff West Community High School
The Baxter Project has further enhanced the pastoral care and safeguarding of our most vulnerable students.... The (project) has effectively adapted their sessions to meet the individual needsand experiences of the students in their care and teh feedback from our students and parents has been extremely positive.
Becky KentCroesyceiliog School 
We greatly appreciate the way in which it gives children who might otherwise go under the radar, the chance to have their voices heard in a confidential, comfortable environment, with an expert ear (sometimes furry) to guide them.
Michael GoughGoytre Fawr Primary School
Discussing a pupil referred to us...
Weekly visits from the team have been the highlight of his week. From the first week we saw a positive change in behaviour, attitude to learning, communication skills and the child's engagement with his peers.
Nicola StarkeGwenfo CiW Primary schoolWeekly visits from the team have been the highlight of his week. From the first week we saw a positive change in behaviour, attitude to learning, communication skills and the child's engagement with his peers.
This is now an essential wellbeing intervention at our school and it benefits the children who receive sessions as well as other children around the school. Just being able to see Trixie in a corridor or playground can be enough to change how a child is feeling. I would certainly recommend this to other schools/settings.
Sheena MarshHerbert Thompson
Students relish the opportunity to chat, feel listened to, and exercise and to build up a relationship with the dog and the Baxter Project Staff member…. Feedback from the Baxter Project includes a comprehensive report on each student and is extremely useful for planning further pastoral support.
Anne Llewelyn The John Frost School
[The Baxter Project] has made a significant impact to our school; they have helped us in our vision to create a culture that champions emotional wellbeing by promoting healthy and positive relationships. Students that they work with to develop strategies to support themselves and others. Having an animal companion helps to remove barriers and lower defences.
Jo KnightLLantwit Major School
[The Baxter Project]has become an integral part of our Wellbeing hub. We enjoy their time with us each week. The therapeutic impact is felt by all.
Thank you so much for the support you provide for our pupils.
Nadia HattMary Immaculate
The Baxter Project, without a doubt, has had, and is continuing to have a positive impact on the learners at OVPS. The sessions are having a glowing impact on our learners in assisting them in not only hardships, self-esteem or challenging behaviour, but increasing their social skills and increasing awareness across the whole school of the importance of well-being and how individuals can be affected in different ways.
Lisa JonesOgmore Vale Primary School
The Baxter project has helped so many children here. Archie the dog has been a delight in providing a unique, therapeutic approach in nurturing and supporting pupils.
Parents and pupils have made fantastic comments about how the project has improved their wellbeing.
Rachel ThomasPontardullais Comprehensive
The impact of the project at Roath Park has been huge. Pupils have made strides forward with interpersonal relationships, behaviour and learning due to the project. Some pupils have improved communication skills and as a result are able to express how they feel at an early stage, identifying small concerns which are easier for them to manage and the school to support them.
John KeohaneRoath Park Primary School
I would just like to say thank you for allowing us
to be involved in the Baxter project this term.
We all enjoy Mondays so much!
The pupils involved directly with the project
have definitely benefitted from the experience
as has the wider school.
Juliet StackSt Josephs RC Primary School
We are delighted to have [The Baxter Project] working with us and would recommend them unconditionally to any school/ provision that prioritises the wellbeing of their pupils.
Jamyn BeasleyThe Court School
The Baxter Project it has quickly become an integral part of our wellbeing provision and is very much enjoyed by students who are assigned to the project in primary and secondary phase of our school. Not only do our students who are assigned to the project look forward to the session, but so do our wider school community!
Shaun ClarkeYsgol cwm brombil
A huge thank you to The Baxter Project and of course Pippa the dog. The undeniable impact this project has had on our children's ability to regulate their emotions, their behaviour and discuss their feelings has been incredibly beneficial... It has been such a worthwhile and effective intervention and a much-needed addition to our pastoral support for some of our 'hardest to reach' children.
Oliver BecketUsk CiW Primary School
The Baxter Project is a great intervention and very easy to work with, being very flexible and understanding to the school's needs. In addition to this, the formalised feedback provided on the development of the pupils as they progress through the sessions has been excellent.
I would recommend The Baxter Project for mainstream provision and am confident the team would be an asset to your existing support network for pupils.
Dan DuncanWhitchurch High School
The pupils are responding positively, and have really engaged, thoroughly enjoying their sessions. Feedback from parents has also indicated [The Baxter Project] is having a beneficial impact on their child's emotional well-being... The Baxter Project is an amazing initiative. Thank you again for this opportunity.
Kelly GriffithsSt Julian's School
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What Participants say about us
What really counts is the impact we have on the children and young people we support, here’s what they have to say.
There was a lot less pressure to open up than in 'traditional' therapy, it felt more relaxed and I found myself revealing so much about my life that I never felt comfortable telling someone before. The people who work for this project made me feel so safe and welcome, I would recommend it to anyone
High School PupilBryn Celynnog Comprehensive
I like that I can say when I am feeling upset about and that we can discuss my emotions. The activitys are fun and I enjoy walking the dog.
Primary School PupilSt David's Catholic Primary School Swansea
Enjoyed the feeling of comfort I got, Jake always brought me a sense of ease which helped me talk about any problems that were bothering me
Ex-PupilBryn Celynnog Comprehensive About how I can talk about my feelings and what’s happend. I used to be sad and not be able to come to school but now I’m better and can help myself when I get anxious. I still talk about what bothers me and can get help from *practitioner* about what to do or why I have really been sad
Primary School PupilOgmore Vale Primary School
I like going for a walk in the morning. It helps to calm me down when I’m not having a good morning.
High School PupilWhitchurch High School I enjoy playing with the dog and speaking about my feelings. I also love playing all the fun games with *practitioner*. It’s helped me feel alot calmer
Primary School PupilNant-y-Parc Primary School
I like talking about my problems and stroking the dog... and she helps me with my teachers so they can know when I need help.
Primary School PupilYGG Rhosafan
I like being able to leave the school, walk and talk. It helps get all my feelings out. Which makes me feel better
High School PupilCardiff West Community High School I like to take time away from everything else and relax, have time to myself, talk to *practitioner* because she doesn’t judge and always understands and give good advice
High School PupilCroesyceiliog School Every time I have a worry or am annoyed or people are being rude, it’s really easy being with *wellbeing dog* and talking about things that have happened.
Primary School PupilAdamsdown Primary School I like how you get a break from class and you get to talk about what’s on your mind and you get to walk and play with cute dogs
High School PupilRisca Comprehensive
I like that I can talk about my feelings and what is going on without being judged. I like knowing I have someone in the school on a Monday who I can go to if I am upset or feeling frustrated
High School PupilPen-y-dre High School
I like to talk about my feelings and get reassurance with events that have happened.
High School PupilThe John Frost School I like being able to do something enjoyable whilst talking to someone about things
High School PupilLlantwit Major School I can open up and say whatever I want without being judged
Thank you so much for the support you provide for our pupils.
Primary PupilSt Illtyds RC school Swansea
Drawing and calming me down when I’m having a bad day.
Primary School PupilTremains Primary School
The Baxter Project has expanded its support to include children in residential and foster care.
We have partnered with TACT Fostering and have been supporting a number of their foster children since 2023 And the results have been fantastic. It is because of the progress we have been able to make with TACT that we have decided to expand our support to include children in residential and foster care across Wales and beyond.
Scott Ruddock
The Baxter project is an innovative way of working with our young people who find the traditional clinical model of services such as CAMHS difficult to engage with. David O'Driscoll has been fantastic in working with us to transfer his education-based model to a wider population of children in care. Young people such as S are at risk of being labelled as hard to engage, and so will not receive the help they need. David and Baxter have proven that if you deliver support in the right way, you can motivate and engage young people and turn their lives around.
We were inspected last year, and the inspectors were really impressed with the work being gones by David and his team (and of course their dogs!). We can't thank them enough and are happy to recommend the service to other agencies.
Paul and Aly
The Baxter Project was introduced to us when S was in High School and struggling very much with the work and school life generally.
She really loved walking Baxter and enjoyed spending time with the support worker, J. She looked forward to the days she knew she would be walking Baxter. When she stopped attending school, she asked if she could keep walking Baxter. Through Social Services and TACT, we were able to continue. S has always enjoyed these times - but the most important aspect is the relationship she has built with Jess. She loves to spend time with J and she trusts her, opening up about her feelings and struggles. Jess has been able to talk things through with her and help her.
We can only speak really highly of the Baxter Project, the help that it has given to S and the support and relationship that she now has with Jess has been great.
