Canine Comprehension offers dog-assisted programs that aim to support students' mental health and well-being. A Canine Comprehension handler (tutor) and their Animal Assisted Therapy dog attend the school as an incursion, delivering a program called 'Communication on the inside and out' over eight weeks. These sessions explore strategies to help manage anxiety, introduce mindfulness techniques, and develop interpersonal and social skills, including listening, team-building, and verbal communication skills. The presence of a therapy dog is intended to calm students, allowing them to open up and foster a sense of connectedness and collaboration with others.

Who are the programs for? At Rosamond, our Primary students participate in the program for one term per year.

What we do: Each program has specific learning criteria, workbooks, mindfulness resources, and a

rigorous evaluation process. 

How many students: Each Primary classroom participates in one program per year.

Where and when are programs held: In consultation with the school, Canine Comprehension attend

s onsite, usually within a classroom or in an appropriate outside area. 

Parental consent is required for all students to participate in the program. School staff are present in each session.

As a result of the success of the Canine Comprehension program, based on staff and student feedback, Rosamond also has a "Companion" dog who frequents the site. Monty is a Groodle, owned by the Principal, and he has been attending Rosamond since he was 20 weeks old. He supports student regulation and promotes a positive staff morale.