Therapy Dogs
Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) facilitated by Mind Your Paws, utilises the gentle friendship the Therapy Dogs provide to achieve outcomes set out by the professional, the Therapy Dog handler and the organisation Mind Your Paws is working with.
Using Therapy Dogs in interventions has been shown to have a range of benefits including;
Relaxation
Improved concentration and mood
Engagement and empowerment of self expression for young people
Improved behavioural issues
Improved literacy and numeracy skills
Lowered anxiety levels
Be in the moment, mindfulness
Decrease in stress hormones (Cortisol)
Increase in feel good hormones (Oxytocin)
Safe and inviting environment
Emotional, social and physical support
Lowered heart rate
The Mind Your Paws Therapy Dog team consists of a registered School Teacher (handler) and two certified Therapy Dogs. To find out more about our Therapy Dog team click here.
"Forrest Parade is a new specialist primary school in Bellamack, we opened in February 2017. Kristy and her therapy dogs Ralph and Harlow have been working with our students since March. Initially the visits were planned for a few weeks. However, we quickly saw the enormous impact the dogs can have on all our students. As a result we have made the decision to continue having the therapy dogs visit Forrest Parade weekly for the remainder of the school year. Kristy has been instrumental in ensuring the success of the therapy dog program. Being a teacher herself she brings a wealth of experience in working with Forrest Parade teachers to individualise therapy dog programs for individual students and class groups. I have no hesitation in recommending Kristy and her therapy dogs and hope we can continue this wonderful relationship into the next school year."
- Annie Keighran, Principal Forrest Parade School
Programs We Offer
Educational Programs
Mind Your Paws programs are designed to meet educational outcomes set out by the school/teacher/counsellor and our Therapy Dog handler, Kristy. Animal Assisted Education (AAE) is aimed at improving learning outcomes of individuals or groups, and can also provide assistance with a variety of problems including social, behavioural and motivational problems. Our programs can be conducted at school, at home, or somewhere the student feels comfortable. Programs can be designed for individuals or small groups.
Some examples of programs we offer include:
Reading programs
Communication
Responsible pet ownership
Homework help
Learning difficulties
Mindfulness
Harlow helping to calm her little friend down whilst he teaches her all about spiders.
Ralph and Harlow spending some time with students at Forrest Parade School.
Harlow practising her tricks with a student at Forrest Parade School. Students develop their confidence and communication skills through working with the dog.
Therapy Dog Visits
Mind Your Paws Therapy Dog programs are designed to meet outcomes set out by the facilitator. Some goals include increased socialisation, improved engagement amongst clients, and increase in mobility.
Currently Mind Your Paws are visiting Headspace Darwin, Sunrise Centre, Regis Aged Care and Royal Darwin Hospital. The Mind Your Paws Therapy Dogs are available to visit any facility.
"Ralph, in his role as a therapy dog, has most certainly presented to the young people, and staff alike, many gifts. From relaxation and happiness, whilst for others, Ralph has afforded some young people with the opportunity to become noticeably more confident in themselves, through their participation in small structured groups. Both at the hub & in the community. Similarly, when Ralph has spent time sitting in the hub’s communal lounge area, staff have frequently observed him to act as a successful ‘ice breaker’ for young people; providing them with a shared topic to chat about and so promote interaction with others."
- Adele Northwood (Headspace Darwin)
Mind Your Paws appeared in the NT News Saturday 29th April 2017 showcasing the work Ralph, Harlow and Kristy are doing at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Mind Your Paws were interview by Channel 9 News Darwin and appeared in the daily news on Friday 28th April 2017 showcasing the work Ralph, Harlow and Kristy are doing at Royal Darwin Hospital with the patients on the paediatric ward.