- Tier:
- Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
- Tier 2: Early intervention cohort-specific support
- Category of intervention:
- Wellbeing animal programs
- Support for diverse cohorts
- Strength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for program
- Geographic location: Statewide. Services to regional and rural areas need to be discussed with the provider first and travel costs will apply.
Program description
The Canine Comprehension School Program provides dog-assisted therapy programs to support students feeling disconnected at school, and professional learning for school staff looking to understand the benefits of dogs in schools in greater depth.
Different program options use an assistance dog in small groups of 8–10 students that run for 8 x 50-minute sessions. Each program option provides unique learning content and mindfulness resources. Schools can choose from the following program options to meet the needs of their students:
- Communication on the inside and out
- Friendship and responsibility
- Embrace the change
- Transition from primary to secondary
- Grief and loss
- Reading tails
- Our Library Community
- Dog for a Day
- Dog For Half Day.
Teacher professional learning modules show how therapy dogs enhance classrooms by boosting engagement and promoting social-emotional growth. Staff learn about benefits for teaching, emotional support, and community building through dog-assisted programs. They gain strategies to integrate these activities, enhancing teaching methods and promoting a learning environment that lifts school spirit and pride.
Intended outcomes
- Enhanced confidence in class
- Improved student communication skills
- Acquire tools to navigate anxiety
- Develop a positive inner voice
- Student shift from negativity assessing a situation to positive problem solving
- A stronger sense of where to go for support in the school
- More positive connections with school community
- Greater empathy and understanding among students
- Higher student emotional literacy
Program details
| Target audience |
|
|---|---|
| Program provider | Canine Comprehension |
| Delivery mode |
*An online session is available to make up for a missed face-to-face session. |
Implementation considerations
- Target population: Students in P–12 who have a broad spectrum of needs.
- Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
- neurodivergent students
- students with a disability.
- Staffing: One school staff member needs to be present for each session, observing and sometimes participating in the session.
- Training requirements: There is no pre-requisite training. The use of a quiet room where there is enough space for the participants to sit in a large circle is required.
- Factors to consider: Maximum of 10 students per group.
- Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.
Cost
Minimum cost
$2,000+
Detailed cost
Components offered by the Canine Comprehension School program are priced as follows:
- School Programs and Library Programs: $3,940.52 (including GST)
- Dog for a Day: whole term, weekly, 8 x full day visits per term $12,480 (including GST)
- Dog for Half a Day: whole term, weekly, 8 x full day visits per term $7,072 (including GST)
- Dog for a Day: single full day visits per $1,560 (including GST)
- Dog for Half a Day: single half day visits per term $884 (including GST)
- Programs Galore Package: $11,792 (including GST)
- Experience Connections Package: $15,444 (including GST)
- Innovative Educator Package: $17,264 (including GST).
Travel costs to regional areas are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
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