For many people, this combination of school dog and working dog in IGP sport is hard to imagine. Skepticism and prejudice against working dogs in the social sector are widespread.

This is exactly where Anna Steinmüller, school dog handler and IGP athlete, and Carmen Posser, regional youth leader in North Rhine-Westphalia, DSH breeder, IGP athlete, performance judge in the SV and experienced school dog handler, come in with their project: Their aim is to show that these high-performance dogs can provide valuable support not only in sport or on duty, but also in everyday school life - be it through their calm charisma, their bond with people or their ability to create a positive learning atmosphere.

As part of the project "The working dog as a school dog", a project seminar for high school students at a Bavarian high school will be offered from September 2025. The young people will examine the role of the working dog in society, discuss with experts and our K9-and-Sports ambassadors and demonstrate the versatility of our working dogs through their school dog, a German Shepherd. The project will ultimately culminate in a training event for teachers, to whom the young people will also provide material for teaching at other schools.

With the support of two teachers, both of whom handle German Shepherds in IGP sport and at school, the concept of "Working Dog as School Dog" is intended to pass on more objective knowledge about working dogs and sport to education multipliers. Carmen is supporting Anna in implementing the project, which is only intended to be the beginning of the topic of "Dealing with dogs" and "Working Dog as School Dog" at K9 and Sports.

In collaboration with the Association for German Shepherd Dogs (SV), Carmen has brought the working dog as a school dog to the public through the image film "School Dog - A German Shepherd in the Classroom". The film clearly shows that a working dog - in this case the German Shepherd - can be used successfully both in everyday school life and in IGP sports. Targeted information and practical examples are intended to raise awareness of the versatility of working dogs.

The school dog is not only recognized as an educational support, but also as an ambassador for the enormous potential that lies within these dogs.