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EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT DOGS

What is an Educational Support Dog?

Educational Support Dogs can make a wonderful difference in learning environments. These highly trained dogs provide a calm and supportive presence, helping students feel safe, connected and ready to learn.

They can offer emotional support, recognise signs of anxiety, improve focus and communication skills, and even help reduce antisocial behaviour and bullying.

Applications quota has now been reached and applications are closed

Educational Support Dog Overview

An Educational Support Dog is placed in a school facility to benefit the students through animal-assisted learning and enhancing emotional and physical well-being.

These dogs are trained to support students in the facility to which they are. Educational Support Dogs do not have public access rights.

How can my school apply for an Educational Support Dog?

Assistance Dogs Australia welcomes applications from schools and educational facilities that can demonstrate the need for an Educational Support Dog.

To ensure the best outcomes for both the dog and the school community, there are a few requirements that must be met:

  1. The educational facility must provide services to individuals who would benefit from a dog.
  2. The educational facility must demonstrate need for canine interaction and have the potential to use dog in therapeutic capacity.
  3. All applicants must demonstrate the support and commitment of the management/board. Expression of interest cannot be considered without evidence os such support.
  4. The educational facility accepts that Assistance Dog staff will follow up placement in the first six months and then on a yearly basis (unless other support is necessary). 
  5. Designated staff employed by the facility must manage the dog. 
  6. This staff member must demonstrate proper canine skills and care.
  7. This staff member must provide a suitable home environment.
  8. This staff member monitors and promotes the facility’s provision of a clean, safe and well-maintained environment for the dog during working hours. 
  9. Staff member has to undergo an initial training program and ongoing training as required.
  10. The educational facility/primary carer must provide monthly reports on the behaviour, welfare and activities of the dog.
  11. The educational facility/primary carer must provide 3-monthly veterinarian report on general health and weight. Yearly vaccination, flea treatment, worming and heartworm control where required.
  12. Any change of carer must be notified to Assistance Dogs Australia and new contract completed.

Applications are temporarily closed

Due to overwhelming demand, we have temporarily closed the application process for this program. We are working hard to reopen the process and provide the best service we can to those who could benefit from one of our extraordinary dogs. 

This page will be updated when applications reopen for this program.

Criteria

  • The applicant must have an accepted diagnosis of a permanent physical disability.
  • The applicant must be 12 years of age or older.

All Applicants and/or primary dog handlers must meet the following general criteria:

  • Be aged 18 years or older. If under 18, the applicant must have a legal guardian aged 18 years or older who will become the nominated ‘primary handler’ of the dog, is living with the applicant, and will be responsible for the dog at all times.
  • Complete our Health Professional form.
  • Be deemed suitable by ADA after completing the assessment process.
  • Accept the financial responsibility and provide the resources to care for the dog (ie. meet vet bills, premium food and equipment) throughout the dog’s life.
  • Provide the dog with a secure home, with a commitment to maintain the quality of the dog’s training, health, wellbeing, exercise and mental stimulation.
  • Have current stable living arrangements to house an Assistance Dog.
  • Have a consistent safe outdoor area for toileting and exercise.
  • Nominate at least two suitable adults who will, if required, provide immediate care of the dog in an emergency or unforeseen circumstances (eg. hospital stays).
  • All people living in the household must support the application.
  • No members of the household have a history of, or current behaviours relating to, abuse, neglect or non-sanctioned violence towards humans or animals
  • If any member of the household has an allergy to dogs, it must be manageable.
  • All existing pets in the home must be appropriately vaccinated, on correct preventative medications (heartworm, flea, tick and intestinal worms) and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for temperament. Pet dogs must be desexed and over the age of one year.

 

Please note that Assistance Dogs Australia will consider all applications regardless of race, gender, religion, and/or sexual orientation.

Journey Flow

Submission of initial interest for an Assistant Dog

1

Information
Session

2

Application
Form

3

Suitability Assessment

4

Accepted onto Waiting List for dog matching

5

Retirement support and possible application for a Successor Dog

9

Long Term ADA Support & Follow ups

8

Placement Training Class

7

Pre-Class Preparation

6

Interested in bringing the benefits of an Educational Support Dog to your school?

We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us to find out more about the application process.

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