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Calmer Classrooms & Happier Homes.

Supporting young people's well-being for learning readiness.

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

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

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

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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Meet the therapy dogs.

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

Mini with Victor were as always profession and friendly. Children were able to follow clear directions and were introduce to safety around dogs and Mini ascertained their level of comfort. This week we were able to go into the library with Victor and the children to choose books. Everything is on track and going well. Thank you

Melton City Library - Melton Branch

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

The students were initially apprehensive and worried about why they had been chosen for the program. As the weeks progressed their attitudes towards attending and engaging with the lessons had become much more positive as they were recognising that this opportunity is a great privilege and that the style of learning with the therapy dog is highly engaging and dynamic. The group of students became much more cohesive, connected and supportive of each another as the weeks went by.

Brunswick South West Primary School

The students have felt comfortable to discuss their anxiety in front of other students.  The students would have liked more weeks it is a fantastic program.

- Learning support leader, Catholic Ladies College, Eltham

Comfortable to discuss their anxiety

The content was well-designed and excellently delivered. Helen's ability to provide an environment the children felt safe in ensured they felt comfortable sharing and discussing the topics raised. Helen also had a wonderful capacity to engage students and hold their attention in the group in a way that encouraged individuals to be themselves while contributing to and achieving group objectives. Fantastic program. Helen and Ned were wonderful. Positive psychosocial experience and outcomes for those involved.

Hastings Primary School

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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.

Partner Schools and Businesses

Ashwood Primary School
City of Yarra
Lalor Secondary College
Roxburgh Homestead Primary School
Member of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations
Web Ideas Logo
Health Ability
Fawkner Primary School Logo
Crib Point Primary School
Frankston City Libraries
Logo for Mullum Road Clinic
Jackson School
Whitehorse Primary School
CBQ Financial Services
Ferntree Gully South Primary School
Western Port Secondary College
Cranbourne Secondary College Logo
Truganina South Primary School
Melton City Libraries
St Pauls Primary School Kealba
Westall Primary School

Awards

Sarah Macdonald : Winner of the 2024 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award
Canine Comprehension is a 2022 ROAR Silver Award Winner
Lead Kindness Platinum Partner, Sarah Macdonald Canine Comprehension
Roar Award Finalist 2022