Tale of our dog Diggers

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…

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…

In  more than 50 Victorian Schools, Canine Comprehension runs programs with therapy dogs that help kids focus on their education. Their programs are designed for students who struggle with motivation, feel disconnected or anxious and need support. “Our program is made specifically for kids who struggle to engage – socially and academically”. chief and founder…