Canine Comprehension School Program

Tier:
- Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
- Tier 2: Early intervention cohort-specific support
Category of intervention:
- Wellbeing animal programs
- Support for diverse cohorts
Strength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for program
Geographic location: Statewide. Services to regional and rural areas need to be discussed with the provider first and travel costs will apply.

Program description

The Canine Comprehension School Program provides dog-assisted therapy programs to support students feeling disconnected at school, and professional learning for school staff looking to understand the benefits of dogs in schools in greater depth.

Different program options use an assistance dog in small groups of 8–10 students with varying session times. Each program option provides unique learning content and mindfulness resources. Schools can choose from the following program options, either individually or as part of a package, to meet the needs of their students.

Delivered as 8 x 50–minute sessions over 8 weeks for groups of 8–10 students. Available individually or together as a package, covering the following topics:
- Communication on the inside and out:
  - target audience: designed for neurodiverse students including those with ADHD, ASD, ODD, as well as neurodiverse traits, students with anxiety, and those in need of support in positive communication skills.
- Friendship and responsibility:
  - target audience: designed for neurodiverse students including those with ADHD, ASD, ODD or, students with anxiety as well as, LGBTIAQ+, refugee students or students who have had friendship/bullying incidents and need support seeing their school environment as a place of safety.
- Embrace the change:
  - target audience: designed for neurodiverse students including those with ADHD, ASD or ODD, as well as students with anxiety around attending school and or students who require support in communication skills and seeing their school environment as a positive environment.
- Transition from primary to secondary:
  - target audience: designed to support all students, including neurodiverse students those who may experience uncertainties, anxieties, or challenges associated with this transition.
- Grief and loss
- Reading tails
  - target audience: students who experience anxiety or are reluctant readers.
- Our Library Community.
Dog for a day programs can be run with 8–10 students at a time for either 30 minutes to an hour for each session. The activity focus for dog for a day can include any of the following:
- communication
- friendship
- change
- grief and Loss
- safe animal handling
- mindfulness
- your own event.
Dog for a day programs can be weekly for a term, part day (3 hours), full day (6 hours) or a single one-off visit depending on the needs and preferences of the school.
Innovative educator package
The innovative educator package involves teacher professional learning modules show how therapy dogs enhance classrooms by boosting engagement and promoting social-emotional growth.
Staff learn about benefits for teaching, emotional support, and community building through dog-assisted programs. They gain strategies to integrate these activities, enhancing teaching methods and promoting a learning environment that lifts school spirit and pride.
There are 4 modules, 15 hours each for a maximum of 10 teachers over one term. Teachers complete one module per term with:
- 6 hours of in-person or online workshops
- 6 hours of self-paced online learning
- 4 hours of online tutorials.

Intended outcomes

Enhanced confidence in class.
Improved student communication skills.
Acquire tools to navigate anxiety.
Develop a positive inner voice.
Student shift from negativity assessing a situation to positive problem solving.
A stronger sense of where to go for support in the school.
More positive connections with school community.
Greater empathy and understanding among students.
Higher student emotional literacy.

Program details

Target audience	Primary school students – all Secondary school students – all
Program provider	Canine Comprehension
Delivery mode	Face-to-face Combination of face-to-face and online* *An online session is available to make up for a missed face-to-face session.

Target audience

Primary school students – all
Secondary school students – all

Program provider

Canine Comprehension

Delivery mode

Face-to-face
Combination of face-to-face and online*

*An online session is available to make up for a missed face-to-face session.

Implementation considerations

Target population: Students in P–12 who have a broad spectrum of needs.
Program adaptability: Programs are written in a manner that allow the program to be adapted to suit the needs of the group. Different program options allow schools to select the most relevant content for their students. The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
- neurodivergent students
- students with a disability
- LGBTIQA+ students
- out-of-home care students
- asylum seeker and refugee students.
Staffing: One school staff member needs to be present for each session, observing and sometimes participating in the session. The Menu provider and its personnel must not be alone with any school student or group of school students in the classroom or in any other place at the school’s premises without another educator, teacher or teacher’s aide present at all times.
Training requirements: There is no pre-requisite training. The use of a quiet room where there is enough space for the participants to sit in a large circle is required.
Factors to consider: Maximum of 10 students or teachers per group. Full day dog for a day visits (6 hours) include one x 30-minute break, one x 45-minute break and ad hoc 10 minute dog breaks throughout the day. All programs are delivered by one x mentor and 1–2 dogs.
Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$2,000+

Detailed cost

Components offered by the Canine Comprehension School Program are priced as follows:

School Programs and Library Programs $4,098.14 per program (incl. GST)
- includes 8 x 50-min sessions over 8 weeks for groups of 8–10 students.
Dog for a Day (whole term) $12,979.20 per term (incl. GST)
- includes 8 x 6-hour visits to the school over 8 weeks to 3–5 groups of 8–10 students.
Dog for Half a Day (whole term) $7,354.88 per term (incl. GST)
- includes 8 x 3-hour visits to the school over 8 weeks to 3 x groups of 8–10 students.
Dog for a Day (single visit) $1,622.40 per visit (incl. GST)
- includes one x 6-hour visit to the school to 3–5 x groups of 8–10 students.
Dog for Half a Day (single visit) $919 per visit (incl. GST)
- includes one x 3-hour visit to school to 3 x groups of 8–10 students
Programs Galore Package $12,237.92 per term (incl. GST)
- includes 24 hours over one term comprising 3 x 8-week school programs of the school’s choice (one x 50-min session each for a group of 8–10 students, one x per-week for 8 weeks).
Experience Connections Package $15,444 per term (incl. GST)
- includes 40 hours over one term comprising 2 x 8-week school programs of the school’s choice (one x 50-min session each, one x per-week), followed by dog for a half day (3 hours, one x per-week for 8 weeks). These will be conducted on the same day, with 2 x 50-minute sessions for programs followed by 3 hours of dog for a half day program, one day per week for 8 weeks.
Innovative Educator Package $17,264 per term (incl. GST)
- includes 16 hours of one module over one term for up to 10 teachers.

School Programs and Library Programs also include the following resources:

Online introduction resource book (PDF) before the program begins.
Weekly emails reminding school contact of any requirements and offering support.
A progress report outlining each student's progress and participation throughout the 8 sessions.
A summary of key learnings and skills developed by students during the program.
Resources and materials for setting the students up for success in the program, including a dog.
Mindfulness Booklet and Worksheets Booklet.
Access to follow-up support or consultation sessions with program facilitators, if needed.
Certificate of Completion for participating students.
Canine Comprehension therapy Dog mascot to be kept at a special place in the school.

Travel costs are not included in the program cost and are applicable when schools visits require over one hour of travel, charged to the school at ATO rates.

Education

Updated 1 December 2025