Our Blog
Don't give the same old gifts to your team!
Creating a thoughtful end-of-year gift for your team can be a wonderful way to express gratitude and foster a sense of community.
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Supporting Young People with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Guide for Schools
At Canine Comprehension, we understand the challenges and triumphs that come with supporting young people, especially those with unique needs like Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
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Standing with Teachers: Navigating the Crisis in Australian Education
Constant segments on the news has brought to light a pressing issue that has been simmering within the Australian education system: the teacher crisis.
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A Day in the Life of Marle
Dog Assisted Learning Advocate with HEART - Helpful, Empathy, Adaptable, Reliable, and Trustworthy.
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Raising a Puppy to Become a Therapy Dog: Our Approach
At Canine Comprehension, we believe that raising a puppy to become a therapy dog is a journey filled with love, patience, and dedication.
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The Importance of Certified Therapy Dogs in Professional Environments
While well-meaning owners believe their dogs are a comforting presence, there are significant concerns that must be addressed.
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A Reflection on Our 8-Week School Programs.
Reflect on how our 8-week school aligns with a recent study by Maya Schwartz Laufer, Ph.D., titled "Canine Interventions: Empowering Children in Eight Canine Therapy Sessions."
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What Makes a Favourite School: Insights from Our Mentors
Recently, our mentors shared their thoughts on what makes these schools stand out, offering a heartwarming glimpse into the environments that foster growth and connection.
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Unleash Peace: Mindfulness with Your Family Dog
We want to share a guided mindfulness exercise incorporating a family dog's calming presence. This practice helps family members improve their emotional regulation and reduce stress.
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Evidence of Success with Our Upgraded Presentations
We're thrilled to unveil our upgraded presentation style, crafted to provide our schools and funding bodies with deeper insights.
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Finding the Perfect Animal-Assisted Match for Your Young Person
Navigating the world of animal-assisted services can be both exciting and overwhelming for guardians looking to support their young person's development.
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Embrace Change can be hard for our young people
Although it might not seem like it, next year is just around the corner, bringing with it classroom and school changes for students across the state. For students, transitioning to a new school or advancing to the next grade can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety.
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Preparing for a family dog: How Therapy Dogs Teach Kids Responsibility and Empathy
Your kids have been begging for a dog and though you can see the potential benefits, you're concerned about the time and energy required to train a puppy. There may be another option that brings the joy of a canine companion into your children's lives.
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Caring for the Caretakers: Self-Care for School Therapy Dog Handlers
This blog highlights the importance of self-care for handlers, ensuring they remain well-equipped to provide the best support to both the students and the therapy dog.
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Unleashing Joy with Sherice and Jonesy: A Dynamic Duo in Animal Therapy
Let’s dive into the story of Sherice & Jonesy to discover what makes this pair so special.
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Our 'Friendship & Responsibility' programs improve Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Our 'Friendship & Responsibility' therapy dog program is a unique initiative designed to enhance SEL by equipping students with essential skills to build resilience, manage emotions, and foster meaningful relationships.
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Embracing Change with Therapy Dogs
At Canine Comprehension, we see the profound impact our therapy dogs have on each of our students through our 'Embrace the Change' program, which fosters resilience and emotional growth in school communities
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Let's Discuss the Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Schools
In today's fast-paced world, students' mental health is more important than ever.
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A wonderful experience: Kendall and Marle's Visit to Paediatric People
Recently, our mentor, Kendall and her therapy dog, Marle, had the pleasure of spending time with the wonderful team at Paediatric People. We're thrilled about the potential for future collaborations, working together to support and enhance the well-being of young clients.
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Introducing: TOM
The global movement of TOM (Tikkun Olam Makers) began in Israel in 2014, inspired by the philosophy of "Tikkun Olam," which means repairing the world.
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Paws In Practice - Mentor Dan
Alison, our head of People and Culture, got to visit our Mentor Dan at one of his schools and observe a session. This is her observations.
Meet Adam: A Prime Candidate for Our Dog-Assisted Mentoring
Adam is an 11-year-old boy managing the complexities of an acquired brain injury.
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Meet Sophie: A Perfect Match for Our Dog-Assisted Therapy Mentoring.
Sophie is a 16-year-old high school student known for her introspective and reflective nature.
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Meet Emily: The Ideal Client for Our Dog Assisted Therapy Mentoring
Emily is a bright 12-year-old who has always struggled with social anxiety and found it challenging to connect with her peers.
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Meet Lucas: An Ideal Candidate for Our Dog Assisted Therapy Mentoring Program
Lucas is a 14-year-old high school student who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
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Meet Aiden: A Candidate for Our Dog Assisted Therapy Mentoring Program
Aiden is a 10-year-old boy who experienced significant trauma in his early childhood.
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Teaching old dogs (and children) new tricks: an Animal Therapies Ltd Podcast
In today's podcast, Sarah tracks the journey of Canine Comprehension over the past decade.
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Toddcast Teacher Podcast
For the forty-third episode of the Toddcast the Teacher Podcast I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Sarah MacDonald from Canine Comprehension.
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It is unethical to compromise a dog's working conditions for the benefit of children!
We are increasingly concerned about the rising trend of in-school therapy dogs owned by schools and passed around to different staff members as a matter of policy by schools. Here's why.
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Creative Lesson Ideas with Minimal Prep
We're excited to share some creative lesson ideas that require minimal prep, helping to alleviate some of the stress associated with constant lesson planning.
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Paws in Practice
I had the pleasure of seeing Helen and Ned in action today at Kilberry Valley Primary School. They are running the F & R program with a young group of active & eager students.
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Nurturing the Nurturers: Self-Care Tips for Parents & Carers
We want to take a moment to remind parents and carers of the importance of self-care and offer practical tips and ideas to help prioritise self-care amidst the demands of parenting.
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5 Ways Dog-Assisted Interactions Can Support Students with Anxiety in School
As a team dedicated to supporting school communities and students alike, we recognise that addressing anxiety is paramount in creating a conducive learning environment where every child can reach their full potential. Here are 5 Ways we believe Dog-Assisted Interactions can support students with anxiety.
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Ever wondered what it takes to become a mentor with Canine Comprehension?
Former educators, social workers, and allied health professionals have found a renewed sense of purpose upon certifying their dogs with Canine Comprehension and joining our team. But what exactly does it entail to become part of this team?
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Spotlight on The Fantastic Work of Animal Therapies Ltd
Australia's growing awareness of the therapeutic bond between humans and animals has given rise to a remarkable organisation: Animal Therapies Ltd.
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Supporting Families by mentoring young people with Anxiety
At Canine Comprehension, we focus on individual mentoring and supporting young individuals and their parents and families. We understand that emotional well-being is pivotal to a child's academic success. Here are five ways in which our dog-assisted interactions can specifically support students dealing with anxiety.
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Ensuring Program Excellence: The Role of Evaluation in Canine Comprehension's School Programs
In this blog, we delve into the essential role of evaluation in ensuring program quality and efficacy, showcasing our comprehensive and meticulous approach to assessment and the valuable insights it provides for educators, stakeholders, and funding agencies.
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Understanding Your Dog's Fear
Have you ever wondered if your furry friend is feeling afraid? Understanding your dog's body language is crucial for recognising signs of fear, anxiety, or stress.
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Women Entrepreneur 2024 Awards
We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Macdonald, has been recognised with a prestigious award from Great Companies.
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Beyond Pats and Chats: How Our Therapy Dogs Enhance Learning
Canine Comprehension takes a holistic approach to integrating therapy dogs into educational environments beyond the traditional role of providing pats and chats.
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Preparing Our Therapy Dogs for their working day
At Canine Comprehension, we understand the importance of ensuring that our therapy dogs are adequately prepared for their vital role in providing animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) in educational settings.
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Upholding Excellence and Ethics in Animal-Assisted Therapy: Canine Comprehension's Commitment to ATL Standards
Canine Comprehension is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all our work.
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A Day in the Life of Ebony
Ever wonder what it's like to spend a day in the life of a Canine Comprehension therapy dog? This is the story of Ebony, a therapy dog, and her devoted mentor, Sharon.
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Activities for NDIS Learning Goals
At Canine Comprehension, our individualised mentoring therapy dog programs are not just another therapy option.
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Training Therapy Dogs for School Settings
Across Australia, several organisations specialise in providing therapy dog training programs. These programs offer comprehensive training that covers various aspects of therapy dog work, including animal behaviour, human-animal interactions, and effective communication techniques.
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Building Trust: Activities that help Therapy Dogs support school connections
Canine Comprehension therapy dogs play a pivotal role in creating nurturing environments within educational settings, fostering connections that go beyond simple companionship.
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A Day in the Life of Bubbles - a Canine Comprehension Therapy Dog working with individual students.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to spend a day in the paws of a Canine Comprehension therapy dog?
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Unleashing Literacy Skills with Therapy Dogs
This blog summarises the literature review submitted by our mentor Kendall Richmond on March 3, 2024, entitled: How can therapy dogs support students’ emerging literacy skills?
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The Science Behind Therapy Dogs: Understanding the Benefits for Students' Mental Health
By understanding the science behind therapy dogs and witnessing the positive impact of programs like Canine Comprehension, educators, parents, and policymakers can better appreciate the transformative potential of these furry companions.
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Getting to Know Our Therapy Dog Teams: Lauren & Neo
Allow us to introduce Neo, the beautiful, gentle Great Dane, and his devoted owner, Lauren.
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