Full Governance Toolkit for Schools

Everything You Need to Plan, Govern and Implement a Therapy Dog Program with Confidence

Please note: Eligibility Requirements below

To support ethical and informed implementation, access to the Full Governance Toolkit is restricted to schools that have undertaken formal education in Animal-Assisted Services.

Eligible purchasers include:

• Participants of our Full-Day Professional Learning Workshop

• Engaged in a 1:1 consultancy session with us

• Schools that have completed recognised Animal-Assisted Services education through an appropriate provider

Completion of a dog-training-only pathway, without education relating to governance, risk management and ethical service delivery, does not meet eligibility requirements.

If you have not participated in our training, we may contact you to confirm your education pathway before approving access.

Developing a therapy dog program can be rewarding—but it also comes with important responsibilities.

The Resource

The Full Governance Toolkit for Schools provides a comprehensive suite of ready-to-use resources designed to help schools implement therapy dog programs safely, ethically and professionally.

Created specifically for educational settings, this practical toolkit helps schools navigate governance requirements, risk management, stakeholder communication, animal welfare considerations and day-to-day program operations—saving countless hours of document development and planning.

Whether you are preparing a proposal for leadership, developing governance processes, engaging families, or refining operational procedures, the toolkit provides a structured framework to support informed decision-making and consistent practice.

Why Schools Choose This Toolkit

✔ Save time with professionally developed templates and resources

✔ Reduce uncertainty around governance, risk and compliance

✔ Strengthen communication with staff, families and stakeholders

✔ Support consistent and transparent decision-making

✔ Establish clear expectations for handlers and program staff

✔ Access practical tools developed specifically for school environments

What's Included

Governance & Planning

• Feasibility Proposal Template

• Risk Assessment Template

• Governance and operational planning documents

• School-specific implementation recommendations

• Industry guidelines and reference materials

Communication & Community Engagement

• Parent and family communication templates

• Frequently Asked Questions resource

• Staff presentation template

• Safe interaction guidelines for students and staff

Consent & Documentation

• Parent Consent Form

• Simplified Consent Form option

• Consent Withdrawal Form

Risk Management & Animal Welfare

• Risk mitigation guidance

• Zoonoses and incident response considerations

• Canine body language resources

• Animal welfare and handler responsibility guidance

• Response guidance for injury or bite incidents

Implementation Resources

• Animal-Assisted Education inspiration resources

• Operational guidance for daily practice

• Planning tools, checklists and implementation supports

All resources are designed specifically for schools and reflect emerging best practice within the Animal-Assisted Services field.

Important Information

The Toolkit supports implementation by providing practical governance and operational resources. It is not a substitute for appropriate education, training, assessment or professional consultation.

Delivery Options

Choose from:

• Digital Download (secure electronic delivery)

• USB Delivery (USB-A and USB-C compatible) via Australia Post

Licence Conditions

The Full Governance Toolkit is licensed for use by a single purchasing school only.

Resources may not be shared, distributed, copied or replicated for use by other schools or organisations. Each school must hold its own licence.