5-6 Canine Comprehension

Sarah started her career as a teacher and worked with many young people. Sarah also completed an animal assistance therapy course and spent considerable time as a professional dog trainer. During this period, she recognised how kids, especially at-risk ones, could benefit from dog-assisted therapy, and Canine Comprehension was born. Canine Comprehension is a company…

Returning to onsite learning, schools continue to have a huge task of managing students’ educational outcomes and balancing mental health after the social deprivation and uncertainty that COVID 19 brought to their families. Schools are looking for new ways to support children who are struggling with disconnection, anxiety, depression and loneliness. Lockdowns may be over,…

Animates brings you stories about animals and how we connect with them. It is a special program brought to you by a dedicated group of 2RPH volunteers. The 30-minute program focuses on the stories of people who live with a disability and who find owning or being close to an animal helpful for everyday life. Sarah was interviewed…

Cranbourne’s Oscar the kelpie and his owner Alissa Lever, a provisional psychologist, regularly visit schools around the area in their roles and have seen first-hand the impact of the therapy on students. Oscar is on the payroll for Canine Comprehension, which runs wellbeing programs in schools. Each of Oscar’s classes consists of 10 students chosen…

Like many new teaching graduates, Sarah Macdonald started her career full of promise and hope for the potential impact she could have on a child’s life. But she soon realised that a great curriculum and a supportive environment were not enough. Children who weren’t in the right headspace and who were battling mental health issues…