The Sourdough School is situated within Vanessa Kimbell’s personal residence.
While the school serves as an educational facility for a substantial part of the year, it primarily remains a home.
Our pets, including dogs and cats, are integral members of our household and contribute to our daily operations in their own unique ways. The dogs, for instance, alert us to visitors, while the cats help keep the premises free from mice, thereby eliminating the need for traps or poisons in our antique property.
Please do NOT fuss the Terrier.
Please note that one of our dogs, a rescue terrier, is not aggressive; however, she is not particularly friendly towards strangers, and she is deeply uncomfortable being touched. She may look friendly however she has poor sight and is old and she can be threatened. So while she looks friendly we ask that you refrain from petting or fussing over him.
Allergies
For those with allergies, we make every effort to keep our pets at a distance. However, due to the nature of our setup, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. We, therefore, urge you to bring any necessary medication with you, as we cannot assure that the presence of our pets won’t trigger any allergic reactions.
Arlo is a service dog.
We strive for a supportive and inclusive environment that accommodates the unique needs of everyone involved. This includes our founder, Vanessa, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Vanessa is accompanied by Arlo, a trained service dog who aids her daily. Arlo is more than a pet; he provides essential support that enhances Vanessa’s well-being and ability to provide an excellent learning experience for our students.
We want to assure you that Arlo is not permitted in the cooking or food preparation areas. His presence is limited to the office and the designated relaxation area for students. However, we understand that not everyone may be comfortable with dogs. If you have concerns or preferences regarding Arlo’s presence, we kindly ask you to let us know in advance.
Please note that while we can arrange for Arlo to remain outside of specific areas, his absence may occasionally affect Vanessa’s stress levels. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in balancing everyone’s needs in our shared space. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and can focus on the joy of learning about sourdough.
Please do not invite the pets inside or feed them
We would like to clarify that our dogs are strictly prohibited from entering the food preparation areas within the school at all times. Our cats, on the other hand, occasionally display a more independent streak and may venture into spaces where they’re not typically allowed. In such rare instances, we promptly guide them back outside.
We kindly ask our guests to refrain from encouraging our pets to enter the school premises, as we have trained them to stay out.
Please do not arrive early.
Before the commencement of each course, our dogs typically spend time in the garden for fresh air.
