Meet The Team
Who we are
Our animal-assisted education experts (who we call mentors) are professional educators, allied health workers, or social workers, who also hold Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) certification. Both our mentors and therapy dogs undergo rigorous training to ensure they can safely and effectively support students’ mental health and learning needs.
And above all, our therapy dog teams absolutely love what they do and are passionate about supporting young people!
Admin team
Behind the scenes at Canine Comprehension is a dedicated admin team who keep everything running smoothly. From coordinating school programs to supporting our facilitators and managing enquiries, this passionate group ensures every detail is taken care of. Meet the people who make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Sarah
CEO & Founder
Louise
Operations Manager
Alison
Head of People and Culture
Mentor team
Our animal-assisted educators (who we call mentors) are certified professionals with qualifications in education, allied health, or social work. They each have an amazing bond with their therapy dog (or dogs!) as well as experience working with diverse groups of young people. Our mentors constantly undergo training to ensure they are up-to-date in best practices to support mental health and to provide ethical, evidence-based dog-assisted learning opportunities.
Sarah C
Alex
Kendall
Mini
Sherice
Judy
Juliet
Kate
Sharon
Lisa
Louise
Lauren
Therapy dog team
Our therapy dogs are carefully selected and trained to support students’ emotional and social development. They play a crucial role in our educational programs with therapy dogs, helping students manage anxiety, improve social skills, and enhance overall wellbeing. And while our therapy dogs are known for their calm presence in schools and workplaces, they are all also beloved members of our mentors’ families. While they work hard, they get to play hard too!
Gruffalo
Maisey
Jett & Ollie
Billy & Charlie
Bambi
Ziggy
Marle
Victor
Jonesy
George
Fern
Harmony
Mr Rufus
River
Boo
Neo
Our values have H.E.A.R.T
Our interactions—with students, school staff, parents and carers, and the wider community—are characterised by our H.E.A.R.T. We strive to be helpful, empathetic, adaptable, reliable, and trustworthy.
Our vision
We imagine a world where young people are enthusiastic about school, driven by a love for learning, and committed to uplifting their peers.
Our mission
We are committed to empowering young people with the skills and tools that foster inner certainty to confidently navigate the world.
Our story
Founded by Sarah Macdonald, Canine Comprehension was born from a deep passion for dogs and a commitment to empowering young learners. The journey began with a recognition that traditional classroom settings often do not cater to every student’s needs, particularly those struggling with anxiety and low self esteem.
With a vision to make learning more inclusive and supportive, Sarah combined her love for dogs with her educational expertise. She discovered the profound impact therapy dogs could have on students’ confidence and learning readiness.
Today, Canine Comprehension supports schools, students, and communities across Victoria, and we are proud to be an approved provider on the Victorian Schools Mental Health Fund Menu. Our programs are delivered by a team of experienced animal-assisted education experts (who we call mentors) and certified therapy dogs, each bringing unique expertise to help students thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Our commitment remains unwavering: to empower every student with the tools they need to succeed, supported by our dedicated team and beloved canine companions. Together, we’re not just changing lives; we’re building a brighter future where learning is inclusive, supportive, and transformative for all.
Learn more about our
animal-assisted education programs
From flexible options to regular weekly visits for the term or year, our programs match your needs to provide impact for students—at school and beyond. We are committed to evidence-based practices, continuous improvement, transparency (schools receive progress notes and impact reports), and the highest level of ethical practice for our therapy dogs and the people we work with.
Our programs focus on three key areas: emotional wellbeing, social skills development and academic support.
Discover the ways our experienced therapy dog teams can make a difference.
