Therapy and Social Work

Therapy Dogs are used at CNPS as an intervention to support students’ mental health and wellbeing. We currently have one certified Therapy Dog, Louie who works within the classroom alongside his handler Alice West (Classroom Teacher). Astrid is our second Therapy Dog in training, under the supervision of her handler Monika Gruss (Principal).
 
Therapy dogs in schools have been shown to have a positive impact on both academic and social-emotional learning for students. These dogs may work in individual classrooms and have the potential to work with individual students or small intervention groups.
 
Some of the research benefits are listed below.
 
Benefits include:

• Increased feelings of trust, improved engagement and rapport, and meaningfulness within learning
• Increased prosocial behaviour and reduced antisocial behaviours in students
• Reductions in perceived stress, stress physiology, and pain resulting in reduced anxiety or distress, improved concentration and attention
• Increased tolerability of treatment and treatment efficacy
• Increase in school attendance
• Gains in confidence
• Decreases in learner anxiety behaviours resulting in improved learning outcomes, such as increases in reading and writing levels

Some of the expectations for Therapy Dogs are:

• Listen to their handler regardless of the distractions around them 
• Follow simple instructions and guidance promptly 
• Have self-control, where required 
• Not overreact to a situation happening around them 
• Be friendly and want to engage with a range of people 
• Be sociable with other animals 
• Cope when left alone and not become anxious 
• Be toilet trained
• Behave in a polite and safe manner 

 
The following rules are enforced when Therapy Dogs are working on site:

• If a Therapy Dog is present in a learning space or the playground with his handler or another CNPS staff member, they are officially working. Students must walk calmly towards the Therapy dog and handler and seek permission before interacting with the dog.
• If the Therapy Dog is working with a CNPS staff member who is supporting an individual student or small group of students, then other students must adhere to the ‘no touch, no talking’ both in the playground and when they enter the classroom.
• Rest areas have been set up for the Therapy Dogs so they can have some time out – the concentration they need when they are working, means they gets quite fatigued and need a rest!

 
Certification
 
Certified Training for Handlers and Dogs through Lead the Way Institute http://leadthewayinstitute.com.au/services/therapy-dog-training-and-certification/.
 
In order for the dogs to work at CNPS, their owners must adhere to:

• Therapy Dog Grooming Guidelines
• Therapy Dog Veterinary Health Screening including Immunisation Requirements and
• OH&S and Risk Assessment Requirements.

Louie

Astrid