Experience Connections Package

Wellbeing and school cohesion

A therapy dog and mentor visit your school each week for a full day. The mentor and dog focus on mental health and school cohesion by supporting two groups of students through your choice of programs, and the mentor completes the rest of the day with the Dog for half a day of fun.

Two programs within this package are subject to evaluations. Dog for Half a day may be subject to evaluation (please discuss this with Canine Comprehension management)

Weekly Package Timetable Example

(Times and program options are the decision of the school, this is just an example)

1

Week 1

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Getting to know you, rights and responsibilities and expectations
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: Getting started with rights and responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

2

Week 2

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

3

Week 3

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

4

Week 4

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

5

Week 5

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

6

Week 6

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Our Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

7

Week 7

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

8

Week 8

Group 1: 9.00 – 9.50 am: Communication Group
Content: Empathy, worry and looking for similarities.
(Evaluated program)

Group 2: 10:30 – 11.20 am: Friendship Group
Content: My responsibilities, my dog’s responsibilities.
(Evaluated program)

Dog for ½ day: 12.20 – 3.20 pm
Content: Created to suit student cohort
6 x 20-minute sessions OR 3 x 50 minute sessions
Breaks for the therapy dogs are required

Here’s how it works

  • Weekly Visits: Our therapy dog and mentor duo will spend a full day at your school every week, providing consistent support and companionship to your students.
  • Tailored Support: Throughout the day, they will engage with your staff and students, based on your school’s specific needs and priorities. These sessions may include students struggling with anxiety or stress, those who could benefit from extra social skills, or those in your community seeking additional support.
  • Program Options: You have the flexibility to choose from a variety of programs to meet the needs of your students best. Whether it’s literacy programs, social-emotional learning activities, or staff professional development support, our therapy dog and mentors are trained to facilitate engaging and practical sessions.
  • Benefits: The presence of a therapy dog has been shown to reduce stress, increase feelings of well-being, and improve overall academic performance. Combined with the guidance and support of our experienced mentor, these packages offer a holistic approach to student success.
  • Feedback and Evaluation: We prioritise communicating and working with school staff to make sure that our program meets your students’ needs. We welcome feedback and are committed to making necessary adjustments to maximise our visits’ impact.

Our Therapy Dog and Mentor Program is not just about bringing smiles to students’ faces (though there will undoubtedly be plenty of those!). It’s about creating a supportive and enriching environment where every student can thrive. We look forward to partnering with your school to make a positive difference in the lives of your students.

What people are saying about our dog therapy programs…

My daughter started sessions in 2020 when she had a massive spike in her anxiety. The canine comprehension sessions quickly became a highlight of her week and really helped reduce her anxiety. She has always loved dogs and so these sessions are perfect to help her recover from a stressful week.

Really helped my anxious daughter

Ready to Book?

Once you have chosen the right program for you, you can book online.

Please read our important information for schools, our FAQs and our bookings, cancellation & pricing policy before booking a school or library program.