Canine Comprehension

Canine Comprehension Dog Assisted Learning is an innovative incursion approach where a well-trained therapy dog, together with an experienced mentor, engages with individuals or groups to foster growth, connection and a more positive outlook on themselves and their school experience.

Pricing: Paid

Origin: Developed in Australia for Australian schooling contexts

Affiliations: Victorian School-Focused Youth Services, NDIS; Approved elsewhere: VIC About affiliations

Product type: Professional learning; Incursion, excursion or immersive experience

Contact details

Canine Comprehension
ABN: 68 627 670 777

Program website: https://caninecomprehension.com.au/our-programs/school-library-programs/

Program contact email: Hello@caninecomprehension.com.au

Focus areas

Positive relationships
Belonging and inclusion
Mental health literacy and life skills
Self-regulation and engagement
Resilience and optimism

Curriculum alignment

Prospective users

Audience: Targeted small group early intervention (Tier 2)

Communities: Diverse cultures or language groups, Faith-based, Neurodiversity or disability, Rainbow and LGBTQIA+

Context: School or centre-based

Main beneficiaries: Foundation/Prep, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12

Delivery style: Delivered by program staff

Aims & approach

Dog Assisted Learning is an innovative incursion approach where a well-trained therapy dog, together with an experienced mentor, engages with individuals or groups to foster growth, connection and a more positive outlook on themselves and their school experience.

Canine Comprehension offers school and library programs that use therapy dogs and trained mentors to support students' literacy, communication, and social-emotional skills. The following programs are facilitated through Dog-Assisted Learning (DAL).

Communication on the Inside and Out Program: 8 week DAL Program,
Dog for a Day or half a day
Embrace the Change Program: 8-week DAL Program
Friendship and Responsibility Program: 8-week DAL Program
Grief and Loss Program: 8-week DAL Program. A non-judgmental program for participants to process feelings of grief and loss
Professional Learning Series: Dogs in Schools

The programs are designed to meet one or more needs: Students with ADHD, ASD, ODD, neurodiverse traits, anxiety, those in need of support in positive communication skills, LGBTQI+, and refugees or minority groups.

Travel costs for regional schools may need to be applied.

Implementation support

Access to professional facilitator, instructor or mentor
Ongoing helpdesk, email or phone support

Evidence

Canine Comprehension delivers an evidence-based curriculum and pedagogy that aligns with the specific needs of students to enhance their attendance and engagement. By focusing on culturally responsive and cost-effective programs and services, Canine Comprehension adapts and innovates methods to meet diverse needs. The strength of this evidence-based delivery is assessed through replication, documentation, theoretical grounding, cultural reach, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that every aspect of the program is impactful and well-supported.

The program's approach also reflects evidence from published systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on animal-assisted therapy and its effectiveness in improving self-confidence, communication skills, and emotional well-being, particularly for individuals with anxiety-related conditions. The program also incorporates mindfulness practices and focuses on emotional and social development, aligning with evidence-based strategies to support mental health and education.

Detailed information about the research and evidence that informs the approach of Canine Comprehension programs, as well as evidence supporting their positive impact, can be found at here.