The Paw Pals program, an innovative program led by MacKillop Family Services, was designed to enhance the emotional and social skills, wellbeing and mental health and educational outcomes of children and young people experiencing challenges engaging in education, particularly those in out-of-home care and school settings. Paw Pals bridges the gap between schools, educational and community services, providing trauma-informed, animal-assisted education (AAE) that supports students’ social, emotional, and academic outcomes.
The program is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of AAE facilitators and therapy dogs, working with primary and secondary school-aged children. Paw Pals focuses on building self-awareness, self-regulation, self-management, empathy, and emotional resilience through tailored individual and small group sessions. The program has reached vulnerable children and young people across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat who face challenges in conventional educational environments, including those with high levels of anxiety, disengagement, and emotional stress. This comes at a time when national reports highlight growing concerns about school disengagement and the increasing phenomenon of ‘school can’t’ (Senate Education & Employment References Committee, 2023).
Program evaluations demonstrate significant improvements across key areas: self-awareness (+15%), self-management (+14%), and social awareness (+12%). Outcomes were assessed through pre- and post-program surveys, which used both quantitative and qualitative measures, and the utilisation of teacher feedback forms that include teacher observations and student feedback forms. Qualitatively, students reported feeling more engaged in learning and demonstrated better emotional regulation and stronger peer relationships as a result of the program.
Key lessons from Paw Pals include the importance of cross-sector collaboration, particularly between educators, community service professionals, and therapy dog handlers. The integration of animal-assisted interventions into educational settings creates a safe and nurturing environment that helps children overcome learning barriers.
The program incorporates lived experience by actively involving student voices in its evaluation. Children share feedback on their experiences with therapy dogs, discussing how the program helped them feel more secure and engaged. This direct engagement with participants ensures the program remains responsive to the needs of children in care and schools, allowing them to take an active role in their own development.
Hear about how this innovative approach is transforming educational outcomes and mental health for children and young people in out-of-home care, and discover the mechanisms we use to capture the voices and lived experiences of students in our program evaluations. By directly engaging with participants, we ensure Paw Pals responds to the needs of the children it serves, creating lasting impact.
Brona Walshe
Education and Engagement Programs Director, Mackillop Family Services
Brona is dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students. With a strong background in educational program development and community engagement, Brona is particularly passionate about supporting students who are disengaged from learning and those living in out-of-home care.
Brona holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Technological University Dublin, a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma from the Australian Childhood Foundation and a Master’s degree in Primary Teaching from La Trobe University.
