Testimonials

Mill Park Heights Primary school were privileged to be able to participate in the Canine Comprehension Program.  We certainly recommend Sarah and Minnie to other schools where children have worries.

- Teacher - Mill Park Heights Primary School, Mill Park

Most significant change has been students forming relationships with students they haven't previously had a friendship with and confidence in talking about their thoughts and feelings.

- Secondary School SWC - Moreland

The change in this particular student has been amazing  -confidence; willingness to speak with others in formal and informal situations. A student who now smiles and actively engages with others. She also uses her initiative and makes decisions independently which she wasn't doing before.
- Secondary School SWC - Moreland

"Our students loved the visits with Sarah and Minnie, during the 8 week program, they grew in confidence and we were able to articulate strategies they could use to alleviate stress in their lives and talk themselves into a positive frame of mind.  

Minnie was great at displaying the emotions that the students feel every day, and the students were comfortable to discuss Minnie's emotions while learning about their own!  

Would definitely recommend this program to schools looking to support anxious students!"

The canine comprehension program was a terrific addition to our social emotional learning at St Catherine's.  The students thoroughly enjoyed each session particularly handling George the dog.  

I could see the students develop confidence and they willingly shared their emotions.  The instructor Gemma was professional and gave good strategies for the students to use when they felt anxious.  

Some of the students in the program have made it clear that they would like to own a dog like George on day.  

Thank you so much!

- Teacher - St Catherine’s, Lalor

What a fantastic 8 weeks we have had with Gemma and George.

Students have gone away with more confidence and some with a love for dogs when before they were fearful.  

Thanks so much! Should happen in every school!

-  Anonymous teacher, Stevensville Primary school.

"The Wellbeing Team at Lalor Secondary College has acquired the services of Canine Comprehension to assist with junior school students who present with increased levels of anxiety, stress or require additional support with problem solving. Canine Comprehension has also actively participated and been an integral support at Lalor Secondary College’s Discovery Evening. Staff at Canine Comprehension have always maintained professionalism whilst exercising a level of compassion when working with our students. I highly recommend Canine Comprehension to all schools and organisations working with vulnerable children and young people in the community.

Canine Comprehension is enjoyable, a great engagement tool and effective – the program works and improves student outcomes. I found the staff at Canine Comprehension to be approachable, kind, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and committed to student wellbeing; whilst always maintaining professionalism and exercising a level of compassion. 

By integrating a therapeutic dog alongside a practitioner in an educational setting, students appeared more inclined to open up and connect with one another – fostering resilience and assisting with the overall learning process. 
The benefits of implementing Canine Comprehension at our College include assistance with students transitioning from primary into secondary, students developing better problem solving skills, increase in self-confidence, learning about mindfulness and how it can be integrated into everyday life to reduce anxiety or stress. 

In all my years working as a social worker, Canine Comprehension would have to be one of the most positive, engaging and effective programs I’ve been involved in. Staff at Canine Comprehension has always maintained professionalism whilst exercising a level of compassion when working with our students. I highly recommend Canine Comprehension to all schools and organisations working with vulnerable children and young people in the community. Keep up the great work Sarah, Oscar & Co!

- Laz Zaekis, Student Well being Leader - Lalor Secondary College

Canine Comprehension was recommended by another mentor.  Initially my daughter did not want to have anything to do with a mentor, she now looks forward to attending her sessions with Sarah and her dogs, she is disappointed if she has to miss a session!  Working with Canine Comprehension has been an amazing benefit to my daughter not only on an academic level but an emotional level as well. 

My daughter has been able to talk to Sarah, and Sarah is able to understand where my daughter is struggling with different issues. Sarah has also worked with my daughters school. Of course, the dogs always provide the additional comfort and my daughter looks forward to seeing them too.  

Good mentoring, emotional as well as academic support, ability to liaise with the school, ability to break down issued to make them more manageable and a lovely rapport with my daughter are all reasons why I would recommend Canine Comprehension to others.

- Vicki, Parent, Melbourne

Some of the more anxious isolated students in particular have responded really well to the program.

-  Assistant Principal Primary School  - Whittlesea

Thanks so much Gemma and George for working with us each week.  You made us feel important and helped us to learn strategies to work through our problems.  We loved teaching George some tricks and he is so caring and gentle.  The CC program was the highlight of our week!

- Student - Whittlesea.

"Some of the more anxious isolated students in particular have responded really well to the program."

'The best thing about this program is giving me confidence and not always being anxious'

'The  program had a huge impact on my anxiety and has helped me overcome it.'

'I Love Charlie and Jo!! It was a really good program and it helped me with a lot of things, even with finding new friends."

‘This program really helped me realise the types of attitudes that I used towards myself and how sometimes I need to be more positive towards myself’.

‘Knowing others are feeling the way I do some-times’.

What was the best thing about doing the program: 'Meeting others and feeling wanted.'

‘I learnt so many techniques and emotions, that I have actually experienced. It also helped me understand the importance of mindfulness’.

Interacting with the dog. Colouring in. Learning about all the techniques to improve my confidence and all the mindfulness strategies, etc really helped me to improve my confidence.

- Student, Year 7

I can calm myself down in mindfulness. I can get happy with Chachka and I can leave all my bad days behind.

- Student, Grade 5

Most Significant Change I have observed particular students come out of their shell throughout the duration of the program, which was great to see. There has been greater connections made between students in both primary and secondary groups and I saw some of these new connections continue outside of the group.

- Secondary School SWC - Yarra/Darebin

Jim taught us how to deal/calm yourself down, I can deal with my emotions now.

- Student, Year 7

This program is really good with kids who get anxiety.

- Student, Year 7