Important Information for Schools

Please read all of the important information on this page before booking your school or library program. There are a number of specific forms required to complete when you book a program under the Forms tab.

Enrolment Forms

Required Documents for Program Engagement

When running our programs, schools are required to complete several forms to ensure a smooth and effective experience for all participants. These include pre-evaluation forms, which help us tailor the program to meet the specific needs of your students. Additionally, progress reports are to be filled out regularly by our mentors and shared with each school to track student development and engagement throughout the program. At the conclusion of the program, post-evaluation forms are necessary to assess the overall impact and success.

Furthermore, obtaining permission for photographs and consent to participate is essential to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and respect for student privacy.

Completing these forms with accuracy and timeliness allows us to provide the best support and make any necessary adjustments to enhance the program’s effectiveness. Your cooperation in this process is greatly appreciated and contributes significantly to the positive outcomes for your students.

Evaluations for Primary and Secondary Schools

Pre-evaluation forms will be accessible on this page during the week 1 of each term and available here until week 3 of the term. They should be completed during the initial session with the mentor present.

Post-evaluation forms will be accessible from week 7 of each term. They should be completed during the session with the mentor present.

Additional Forms

Parent Support

Parent support letter

Compliance

Supervision from the school is necessary

Legal supervision is a top priority. A school representative must be present for each session without exception. We have found that continuity with familiar staff enhances the program’s effectiveness for adults and students. We collaborate closely with schools to maintain a secure and enriching environment, adhering to stringent safety and well-being standards. The care and security of your students are our highest priorities.

Working With Children’s Checks

All staff hold a WWCC and can provide evidence when required.
Canine Comprehension ensures that its staff entering School premises:
(i) have undertaken a satisfactory working with children check; and
(ii) have met any additional relevant legal requirements and policies of the School Council and/or School about the suitability of mentors to work with school children or within the precinct of the School.

Canine Comprehension acknowledges and agrees that Schools are committed to creating child-safe environments and protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, managing the risk of child abuse, providing support to a child at risk of child abuse and responding to incidents or allegations of child abuse in accordance with their legal obligations, including Child Safety Laws.

Canine Comprehension acknowledges that the School Council and School Staff must comply with Child Safety Laws, the Ministerial Order and School Council Child Safety Policies.

Safety

Safety Statements

Canine Comprehension recognises that their service delivery is bound by the following policies deemed relevant by the Principal / Director of the school to the delivery of the Services, on the basis that the Principal / Director provides these documents in written form at least 2 weeks before services commence (where necessary) an orientation and explanation is provided to the Supplier of what is expected to conform to these policies:

(i) Student Support Group Guidelines;
(ii) Primary Welfare Officer Initiative Guidelines;
(iii) Schoolcare Program Guidelines;
(iv) Medical Intervention Support Guidelines;
(v) The Victorian Prevention and Health Promotion Achievement Program (Primary schools);
(vi) Promoting Healthy Minds for Learning and Living (Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy);
(vii) Protecting the safety and well-being of children and young people (protocol);
(viii) A step-by-step guide to making a report to Child Protection or Child FIRST;
(ix) Guidelines for the management of student services files;
(x) any of the School Council’s rules, regulations, protocols, procedures, by-laws and any other relevant information of which the Canine Comprehension has been notified.

Dogs in Schools – how can we manage it safely?

Canine Comprehension has worked in hundreds of primary and secondary schools throughout Victoria, tutoring students by helping them make more positive connections in their lives. We achieve this with the partnership of a well-trained, friendly therapy dog and a professional, experienced tutor.

Download our dogs in schools safety report

The Business Council of Australia has led the development of the Australian supplier payment code. Canine Comprehension is a signatory of this code.

Funding

School Mental Health Menu to fund our programs

DET Funding Details are below, or go to the DET website.

Tier 1: Positive Mental Health Promotion

Tier 2: Early Intervention Cohort Specific Support

Type of Intervention: Animal wellbeing programs

Stength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for program.

Geographic Availability: State-wide, rural/regional

Program Provider: Canine Comprehension

Intended Outcomes

Improve students interpersonal and social skills
Improve students emotion management
Enable better connections at school

Target Audience:

Primary School Students – lower
Primary School Students – upper
Secondary School Students – lower
Secondary School Students – upper
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
LGBTIQ+ Students
Asylum Seeker and Refugee Students
Students with Disabilities

Delivery Mode:

Face-to-face
Combination
One online session is available to make up a missed face-to-face session

Implementation considerations

Target population: Students in P-12 who have a broad spectrum of needs and personalities.
Program adaptability: Programs are written in a manner that allows tutors to change and amend the program to suit the needs of the group. Different program options allow schools to select the most relevant content for their students.
Staffing: One school staff member needs to be present for each session, observing and sometimes participating in the session.
Training requirements: There is no pre-requisite training. The use of a quiet room where there is enough space for the participants to sit in a large circle is required.
Factors to consider: Maximum of 10 students per group.
Australian context: The program is not available in Western Melbourne Wimmera South West and Barwon South West regions: Southern Melbourne South East region: Hume Moreland, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee North West regions or any of the North East regions.

Read the support letter from the Hon James Merlino MP (238kB)

FAQs

Important Dates

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

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

School Programs