We imagine a world where young people are enthusiastic about school, driven by a love of learning & committed to uplifting their peers.
We specialise in Animal-Assisted Therapy to support students' mental health and learning. Our Therapy Dogs in Schools programs are designed to enhance emotional regulation, boost confidence, and improve engagement through Dog-Assisted Learning."
We are committed to empowering young people with the skills & tools that foster inner certainty to navigate the world confidently.
All about the kids
Our School Therapy Dog sessions are designed to provide Mental Health Support for Students. Through Animal-Assisted Education Programs, we help students develop social skills, manage anxiety, and improve emotional regulation. Our work with Special Needs Students is particularly effective in creating a supportive learning environment.
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All about the individual
Individual mentoring sessions with our Therapy Dog Handlers offer personalised support for students. Dog Therapy for Anxiety and Therapy Dogs for Emotional Regulation are key components of our mentoring approach, helping students build resilience and confidence.
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All about the adults
Bring the Benefits of Therapy Dogs to your workplace with our corporate programs. Our Therapy Dogs in Schools model can be adapted to support employee well-being and enhance team dynamics.
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Life-changing school visits
CommBank Australian of the Day CEO Sarah: Unlocking Educational Goals with Dogs & Children. Improve Parental Peace of Mind.
Promoting community and literacy
Dog Ears: A Collaboration with Victorian Libraries. Friendly Furry Companions Enhancing Social & Emotional Outcomes, and Love for Books!
Innovation in education
CEO Sarah on Winning the Enterpunership, Innovation, and Leadership Award: A Unique Solution for Learning Readiness and School Success.
Testimonials
‘I learnt so many techniques and emotions, that I have actually experienced. It also helped me understand the importance of mindfulness’.
Student, Grade 6
Mornington Secondary College
The best thing about this program is creating a network of friends who I know struggle in a similar way to me.
- Student, Year 11 - Yarra/Darebin
Met new friends
Some of the more anxious isolated students in particular have responded really well to the program.
- Assistant Principal Primary School - Whittlesea
Responded really well
I have noticed a significant difference in the students' abilities to identify feelings and express them. They have used different strategies, taught in the program, to understand and regulate these feelings. The activities and feelings strategies were so cleverly weaved into the program that it didn't feel disjointed or forced.
One student I work with in wellbeing sessions recently came to me following feeling dysregulated and said he used the three Cs to regulate himself. This student has found it difficult to express his feelings and has punched a classroom wall out of frustration in the past. I have had a few students who participated in the program mention that they have used the three Cs to check and change their feelings.
One student who has been in and out of foster homes and very disengaged at school (difficult to get him to attend things and be on time) was very much engaged in the dog therapy program. This student did not want to come at first but felt very connected to Jonesy and became easier to convince him to attend. This student has been very excited for the program and expressed joy for Jonesy.
Tarneit P-9 College
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dog Assisted Learning?
Some children have a hard time at school and struggle with learning and friendships. Canine Comprehension support students in understanding their learning process better. A well-trained dog and a mentor will work with an individual or a group throughout the term. Through weekly attendance, young people may have more positive feelings about themselves and school. The presence of a dog can make awkward or tough conversations a little easier because the focus is not on the students. As a result, your child may feel less anxious, more in control of their emotions, or have made new friends.
Our focus is to:
- Help them discuss their worries about learning
- Learn more about possible triggers
- Learn strategies and develop confidence in managing them
- Practice mindfulness techniques
- Assist young people in developing interpersonal and social skills, managing their emotions and empathy for others, and enabling better connections in their learning environment.
What are your qualifications and experience?
Our Director, Sarah, holds a Bachelor's as well as a Master's in Teaching. Sarah writes all of the curriculum and pedagogy documents used in our programs. She also consults closely with the tutors on educational and classroom management issues.
The Canine Comprehension team is a wealth of knowledge and invested in lifelong learning. We aim to employ various educational and social justice backgrounds, such as teachers, social workers, occupational therapists, nursing, counsellors, and school administrators. Our tutors have experience working with young people with various needs and enjoy the challenge of helping struggling learners connect with their education. Please see our ‘meet us page to learn more about each tutor.
All of our Tutor / AAE dog teams have the highest certifications of Animal Assisted Therapy available in Australia. Most are trained through Lead the Way Institute and are reassessed annually to maintain certification. The tutors also have access to dog trainers, who can help them with improving manners, trick training and specific behaviour with their working dog.
All of our Tutors hold a current driver's licence, Working With Children Check and First Aid certificate.
What do the AAE dogs do in schools or mentoring sessions?
The dogs have many jobs. Their main goal is to assist young people in calming, connecting and focusing so the tutor can do their job more effectively. A few examples of how we use dogs are:
- Mindfulness sessions teach young people breathing techniques by watching a snoozing dog.
- Agility exercises, where young people have to problem solve and effectively communicate to get the dog through the course.
- Games with the dog, where the young person has to work out more robust and weaker motivators for the dog.
- Dog body language study, where young people discuss the zones of regulation the dog may be experiencing.
What is the evidence for using a AAE Dog?
ust petting a dog can reduce the petters blood pressure and heart rate (Get Healthy, Get a Dog, Harvard Medical School) and having a pet dog in the home was associated with a decreased probability of childhood anxiety (Gadomski AM, Scribani MB, Krupa N, Jenkins P, Nagykaldi Z, Olson AL. Pet Dogs and Children’s Health: Opportunities for Chronic Disease Prevention).
For kids with anxiety and school refusal the use of the therapy dog as social lubricant cannot be denied (Menzies, 2003; Kogan, Granger, Gitchett, Helmer & Young, 1999; Baker, Pandurangi; Best, 2003). There are numerous studies citing the benefit of being with a dog, they show that having a dog present will increase a persons likelihood of having positive social interactions with others. (Mallon, 1994; Hart, 2000) Studies where kids are able to take the dog for short walks (Fine, 2000) show improved therapeutic outcomes for clients.
Studies have shown that learnings and effects from these AAIs can last well into 12 months after the client has worked with the dog (Barker et. al, 2003). Hanselman (2001) recommends that group interventions with your people should consist of at least10 sessions to make sustained behaviour change. Kogan, Granger, Fitchett, Helmer & Young, 1999 report that dog training intervention (just like the courses we run) resulted in improved pro social behaviour such as eye contact, smiling and posture and a reduction in negative behaviours.
Canine Comprehension also has their own independently collated research by School Focused Youth Service. You can read more here.
What is your diversity policy?
Canine comprehension has a welcoming attitude to diversity and is committed to embracing and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the education sector and allied health services. Canine Comprehension welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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