Tier
Tier 1: Positive Mental Health Promotion
Program Description
Dogs Connect is an online training program to help introduce a wellbeing dog into a school. A wellbeing dog has positive emotional and social impacts and supports mental health and wellbeing.
The program helps create an ongoing connection between a school, community and their wellbeing dog. The program includes twelve modules covering a number of topics to integrate a wellbeing dog in their school. Dogs Connect can help schools source a dog on request if required.
Detailed Cost
Dogs Connects’ online program is priced at $7,700 (inc. GST) and runs for a minimum of six months. Annual Accreditation Renewal and Refresher Training is priced at $770 (inc. GST).
Should Dogs Connect be requested to source a dog for the school, this additional cost shall be incurred by the school.
Implementation Considerations
Target population: School staff across primary and secondary schools.
Program adaptability: The content of the program can be adapted to meet the needs of participating schools, as determined through consultation with school staff prior to commencement.
Staffing: A minimum of two staff members are required to be enrolled in the program.
Training requirements: The time requirements are 12 hours for the on-demand modules and 12 hours of related tasks. This can be undertaken over a minimum of six months, averaging one hour a week.
Factors to consider: Internet connection and devices are required.
Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.
Strength of Evidence
Level 2: Supported by expert opinion or evidence for practice
Geographic Location
State-wide
Intended Outcomes
* Increased attendance
* Reduced anxiety
* Improved peer-to-peer and staff-to-student relationships
* Reduced behavioural incidents
* Improvement in social and emotional regulation
* Improved capacity for empathy
* Increased emotional literacy