There is an old saying that you should never work with children or animals, but at Torrens Primary the two are combined in a unique classroom program that brings together a baby and a puppy to teach students valuable life skills.

"Growing Bronte and Brodie" is an initiative of retired teacher Maisie Griffiths that aims to teach young school children about how people and animals develop and what needs they have.

Bronte is the three-month-old daughter of Helen Tranter, a teacher on maternity leave. Brodie is a puppy belonging to Clare Ellis. Once a fortnight one of the pair joins Kindergarten and Year 4 classes to help the students develop empathy, conscience, self control, respect, kindness, tolerance and fairness to all living things.

Mrs Tranter said that the program helped students to understand what people and animals need to thrive and prosper.

For example, when Bronte cried on a recent visit to the school, the class explored why babies cried and tried to sooth her. This led to an exploration of why older people sometimes cried and what to do when someone was unhappy.

"As a teacher you see the necessity that children learn values. (They are) hard to teach but this program engages the children.

Kindergarten teacher Jan Marsh said some of the lessons from the program had been utilised in the playground, with students becoming more empathetic towards any who might be angry or lonely.

She said feedback from students involved in a similar program last year had shown that children had understood and appreciated the messages about kindness and caring for others.

Ms Griffiths said she was awaiting the result of an application to get funding from the ACT health promotion organisation Healthpact, without which the program would fold.

"I think this is the most exciting program I've been involved with in more teaching years than I'm going to tell you about, and I can't think of anything better to do in my retirement than to try to keep it going"