CHILDREN who are disengaging from learning at school can now access support from a special MacKillop Family Services initiative that\u2019s just expanded into Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Facilitators of the Paw Pals therapy dog program and their four-legged friends are set to work with young people across the region, particularly those from traumatic backgrounds, and will seek to help them regain trust and confidence, reengage with education, and regulate their emotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy gorgeous pooch Millie can make a connection where other strategies have failed,\u201d said facilitator Kath Anderson, who works with her therapy poodle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve worked with kids who had previously refused to go inside the school building, but after taking part in the program, they will happily take Millie into class with them to show their classmates the commands they have taught her.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing a child\u2019s confidence grow while they are supported by therapy dogs is inspirational.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know there are lots of children in the community who could benefit… and we look forward to working with many more schools and families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paw Pals has received three years of local funding from the Petspiration Foundation, and facilitators have a base at Sebastopol\u2019s St James Parish School.<\/p>\n
Principal, Garth Kydd, said St James is all about belonging.<\/p>\n
\u201cPaw Pals fits so well with our values of being of service to those who need it and building relationships,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to do that you\u2019ve got to be connected and have that sense of belonging.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur students are spending more and more time disconnected with those that are close to them and school is a safe haven for them. Paw Pals will give those children, who may still find it unsafe, a chance to reconnect.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program has been accessed by 650 children and young people in Melbourne and Geelong since 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHILDREN who are disengaging from learning at school can now access support from a special MacKillop Family Services initiative that\u2019s just expanded into Ballarat. Facilitators of the Paw Pals therapy dog program and their four-legged friends are set to work with young people across the region, particularly those from traumatic backgrounds, and will seek to […]<\/p>\n