- Tier: Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
- Category of intervention: Wellbeing animal programs
- Strength of evidence: Level 2: Supported by expert opinion or evidence for practice
- Geographic location: The program is available statewide, with online delivery only available in Central Highlands, Outer Gippsland, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee and Ovens Murray department areas.
Program description
The PAWS Whole School Visitation Program uses dog-assisted interactions and a variety of strategies to help students develop a greater sense of confidence and resilience.
The program aims to help students feel safe and ready to engage with learning tasks and new challenges in the classroom. A trained therapy dog will visit classrooms with a handler/PAWS educator and give students access to novel sensory toys, games and puzzles. Students can use these tools to engage with the therapy dog while also speaking with the educator.
Intended outcomes
- Students form a strong connection with the wellbeing dog
- Reduced stress
- Improved staff and student mental health and wellbeing
- Increased attendance rates and student engagement
- Improved student ability to build social connections
Program details
| Target audience |
|
|---|---|
| Program provider | Therapy Animals Australia |
| Delivery mode |
*Online sessions can be arranged at school request. |
Implementation considerations
- Target population: The program is designed for all students from Foundation to Year 12.
- Program adaptability: Paws in Schools Pty. Ltd has an appointed a Diversity and Inclusion officer who is responsible for ensuring all staff are maintaining inclusive practices and are aware of the specific needs of clients as well as providing a safe space when engaging with participants.
- Staffing: Dogs are managed on site for the duration of each visit. A member of staff is required to be present when program staff are working directly with students. Backfilling of staff is not required.
- Training requirements: Face-to-face program delivery does not require any resources to be provided by the school. Online delivery will require access to basic Audio-Visual infrastructure such as a computer and screen.
- Factors to consider: There is no minimum number of students required. Participants will be engaged in the program for the duration of the time that the educator and dog team are delivering the program. The providers are able to speak to school staff for follow-up support if needed via phone or email.
- Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.
Cost
Minimum cost
$2,000+
Detailed cost
The cost for the full Paws Whole School Visitation Program for one year is $4,398.90 (including GST) plus travel expenses.
Additional costs (all including GST) may include:
- additional consecutive hours within the same school: $352
- travel costs per hour if over 25 km from Bundoora: $313.50
- overnight costs per staff member per night: $352
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