We are experts in supporting schools to create SAFE, ETHICAL and SUCCESSFUL School Dog Programs at their school. Australia wide.
Australia
Professional Consultancy and Support
We believe in providing evidence-based information to schools to support their planning.
You do not need to invest $7000+ into your school dog program however you do need to engage in appropriate training, assessment and theoretical knowledge to inform your planning. Let us help!
Consultancy Services for Schools
Initial Planning Consultation - $250 per hour
Consultants are available on an hourly basis to offer schools advice in exploring their options in the very early stages of planning.
Are you interested in introducing a therapy dog program but you are not sure where to start?
Has a staff member come to you with this idea but you are nervous about what it might look like at your school? Is your school about to undergo building works and you would like to accommodate a therapy dog program in the future?
Let's arrange a time to support your initial planning and get things started in the right way!
Consultations are offered in person (where possible), via telephone or through video conferencing.
Complete Implementation Support - to be quoted
No school is the same! Our consultants will work with you and your school leadership team to develop a plan specific to the needs and context of your school.
This package is designed to support schools who already have a 'dog' ready to go. They have enrolled or completed appropriate specialised training or are ready to hit the 'go' button with some guidance.
This package is designed to ensure you have the support you need to successfully implement a therapy dog program at your school. We will always adapt our service to ensure we meet the needs of your particular school situation. However, this package will provide the following:
- Initial planning discussions to understand the school context and relevant role holders.
- Development of specific school risk assessment and risk management documents.
- Development of specific communications for relevant stakeholders including students, staff, and parents.
- Development of ‘school rules’ for engagement with the Therapy Dog which will be specific to your school context and will consider the dog's tolerances to ensure student safety and animal wellbeing.
- An evaluation of the school physical environment to ensure suitable accommodations for the Therapy Dog and suggested inclusions.
- Comprehensive problem solving any challenges or barriers to minimise complaints, risks or concerns.
- Discussions around various insurances to minimise risk and liability to school.
We will assist your school along the way through to implementation, evaluation and review. Rest assured you will be supported throughout your journey with regular follow up, on call support throughout the process and a scheduled review and refinement of all planning 3 months after commencement.
Consultations are offered in person (where possible), via telephone or through video conferencing.
From Puppy to Therapy Dog - Ultimate Planning and Support Package - to be quoted
You are starting the journey from the very very beginning with a little puppy OR you may like support with puppy selection.
This package is designed to ensure you have all the support you need to successfully implement a therapy dog program at your school. We will always adapt our service to ensure we meet the needs of your particular school situation. However, this package will provide the following:
- Initial planning discussions to understand the school context and relevant role holders.
- Careful planning and recommendations for role expectations of Therapy Dog handlers, the Therapy Dog's role within the school, logistics and budget planning, Animal Welfare considerations, Training recommendations, and most importantly supporting the school to implement a program which aligns with industry standards and guidelines.
- Development of specific school risk assessment and risk management documents.
- Development of specific communications for relevant stakeholders including students, staff, and parents.
- Development of ‘school rules’ for engagement with the Therapy Dog which will be specific to your school context and will consider the dog's tolerances to ensure student safety and animal wellbeing.
- An evaluation of the school physical environment to ensure suitable accommodations for the Therapy Dog and suggested inclusions.
- Comprehensive problem solving any challenges or barriers to minimise complaints, risks or concerns.
- Discussions around various insurances to minimise risk and liability to school.
We will assist your school from the very early stages all the way through to implementation, evaluation and review. Rest assured you will be supported throughout your journey with regular follow up, on call support throughout the process and a scheduled review and refinement of all planning 3 months after commencement.
Consultations are offered in person (where possible), via telephone or through video conferencing.
Review and Evaluation of an Existing Program - to be quoted
At your request I will conduct a review of your current therapy dog program and look for opportunities for further risk mitigation, enhancement of student, staff and animal welfare, evaluate communication with relevant stakeholders, ensure appropriate insurance and protections are in place and evaluate the physical environment for compliance with minimal welfare standards.
The time taken to carefully evaluate your program will vary, however an initial meeting of 1 hour is required with key stakeholders to understand the current context. Further meetings and document reviews will take place following this initial meeting.
If further support is required to rectify identified issues, additional fees will apply and a quote will be provided.
Consultations are offered in person, via telephone or through video conferencing. No additional cost applies to travel to schools within a 15km radius of the north side suburb of Brisbane, Aspley. Feel welcome to request a quote for an on-site visit outside of this area.
Troubleshooting Consultation - $250 per hour
I am available on an hourly basis to offer schools advice in implementing a therapy dog program at any stage of planning.
Have you come across a challenge or barrier to implementation and you would like some professional guidance?
Are you having difficulty in convincing your school leadership team on the benefits of a therapy dog program in your school?
Are you concerned that the therapy dog program is not running smoothly or there are identified risks to students, staff or the animal?
Let's arrange a time to troubleshoot your challenges and get things on a safe and successful path!
Consultations are offered in person, via telephone or through video conferencing. No additional cost applies to travel to schools within a 15km radius of the north side suburb of Brisbane, Aspley. Feel welcome to request a quote for an on-site visit outside of this area.
Therapy Dog Resource Package for schools - $295 per package
If you would like some of the resources required to support you to implement a Therapy Dog program within an educational context, you can purchase a resource pack which provides example resources and templates to support your planning.
Package includes:
- Example initial communication letter to parents/families.
- Frequently Asked Questions (with responses) – for parents. This is designed to accompany the initially communication letter to parents and anticipate their concerns/questions.
- Example Risk Assessment document – to support insurance requirements.
- Staff presentation template to support educating staff.
- Example Rules for animal interactions.
- Consent form : parent consent for student interaction with a therapy dog within the school environment. (example template)
- Consent withdrawal form : for parents wishing to formally request no interaction with Therapy Dog (example template)
- Consent form (simplified) : parent consent for student interaction with a therapy dog within the school environment (example template).
- Animal-Assisted Education resources to inspire.
- Plus practical resources support the Therapy Dog teams daily practice.
Please note, this package does not include troubleshooting discussions, individualised planning for your school context or discussions relating to the optimisation of your Therapy Dog program through program/activity planning.
This package is most useful to teams who have completed our Introductory Workshop, a specialised training course for Therapy Dog teams or book some consultancy with me to support your planning.
Resources will be emailed upon confirmation of finalised payment.