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25.01.2022 The fifth of the five Wellbeing Dogs who have begun their work in schools this semester is the lovely Rosie at St Philips Christian College DALE Waratah in Newcastle. Meet Rosie!! Rosie is really enjoying her work life and connecting with lots of different people. She is very clever and seems to be trying very hard to speak to humans in no uncertain terms. Rosie loves chewing on sticks and her toys but one of her favourites is an old plastic drink bottle.... The people at SPCC DALE love having Rosie around and are working really hard at getting to know and understand her needs. Doing a fantastic job Rosie and St Philips Christian College DALE Waratah! St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast Gateway Health Bendigo Community Health Services Student Focused Youth Services Baranduda Primary School Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Heathcote Primary School ABC Sydney ABC Newcastle ABC Central Coast

25.01.2022 You’re one in a million Alfie. We love you!!

25.01.2022 Dr Jo Righetti is an animal behaviourist with a PhD in animal behaviour and a background in zoology. Her website, blogs and podcast are a valuable resource for pet owners seeking direction around pet behavioural problems and understanding their pets behaviour. Check out the link below for some of Dr Jos pointers. https://www.petproblemsolved.com.au//destructive-behaviour/

25.01.2022 This is the very beautiful Bunji from Wodonga Senior Secondary College. His name is Indigenous for ‘mate’ and that's certainly what he is. He has settled in wonderfully to the school’s Dogs Connect Program and is becoming a much loved means of support for his community. He is one very special little pooch. Doing a fantastic job Bunji and WSSC! We love working with you.

23.01.2022 PRIME7 Local News recently visited St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah and Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast to meet their wellbeing dog. The impact 3-month-old Rosie has had on the community has not gone unnoticed by students or staff. Watch this clip for the full story. #wellbeingdog #studentwellbeing #anxietymanagement #mentalhealth

23.01.2022 What a great way to start online learning. Way to go Melrose !!!

22.01.2022 The amygdala is a small structure within our brains that is designed to make us respond to a threat. Amygdala hijacking is a term used when an immediate threat or danger produces an immediate and intense emotional reaction which is disproportionate to the situation being faced. https://www.facebook.com/neuros0/posts/302812294443195

22.01.2022 An honest and inspiring article from teacher Mel Beames in Teacher Magazine. Mel is an enthusiastic and productive member of the Dogs Connect Community. Her work with Lexi has been outstanding. Fantastic to hear about her experience in her own words. Well done Mel! Keep up the great work! St. Peters Primary School Teacher Magazine ABC Central Victoria Bendigo Community Health Services ABC Melbourne Dogs Connect Community

22.01.2022 The Afternoons with Deborah Knight show on 2GB 873 - Sydney Talk Radio was kind enough to interview St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah and Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast Principal Bronwyn Thoroughgood on R U OK Day to discuss the impact our Dogs Connect program has had on the wellbeing and anxiety levels of students. You can listen to the good news story in full now...

22.01.2022 A beautiful story about how connecting with animals and nature is assisting people to improve mental health. Care Farming is becoming increasingly popular in Australia as an avenue in treatment for trauma and depression with a view to improve mental health and wellbeing. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=317416916317459

22.01.2022 Lots of first days this week for these amazing pups and their people. This is a great snapshot of how to looks. Well done by all. Great job Rosie!

21.01.2022 Recently Grant was interviewed by ABC Goulburn Murray’s Sandra Moon on the Breakfast Show. The discussion was around celebrating the latest local schools who have joined the Dogs Connect Program community and all things Dogs Connect. We’re not sure who is the bigger dog lover - Sandra or Grant! Check out the interview below. For more information about the Dogs Connect Program head to https://dogsconnect.net.au/... or to ask us a question email [email protected] Gateway Health Baranduda Primary School Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wooragee Primary School ABC Goulburn Murray

20.01.2022 Its that very exciting time of the year again when we have the privilege to introduce the new Schools and their Wellbeing Dogs who have begun working in the Dogs Connect Program this semester. Here is the first of the five beautiful dogs.. Meet Coco!... Coco is a Groodle who has been introduced into the Baranduda Primary School community. Coco is a beautiful free spirit who loves food and digging in the sand. She has recently found her voice and likes to vocalise. Coco is calm around the students and is happy to sleep during classtime. One of her besties is Sid the sloth. Coco has begun walking on the lead and has realised that chasing balls is great fun even though shes reluctant to give it up once she has brought it back. Great work Coco and Baranduda Primary School! Baranduda Primary School Gateway Health Bendigo Community Health Services Student Focussed Youth Services St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast Heathcote Primary School Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre ABC Central Victoria ABC Goulburn Murray ABC Melbourne

19.01.2022 There are lots of ways to use Walk Back but this is one easy way while you are out and about to encourage your dog walk just behind you. This helps in establishing that you are the leader of the pack and it also assists with unwanted behaviours while out on walks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDHjq0C56Ac&feature=youtu.be

19.01.2022 The next beautiful Wellbeing Dog pup we have to introduce is the amazing Bunji from Wodonga Senior Secondary College. Bunji is a pretty chilled little guy. Hes so relaxed that at first the school was thinking they might have to ask for a refund because all he was doing was sleeping and lazing around. Bunji has since become part of some awesome concepts for staff connection during COVID remote learning by visiting staff desks, offices and workspaces one by one and having phot...os taken in each space with a little greeting message. This is proving to be a real hit and staff are absolutely loving seeing their workspaces with Bunji in them. This is a new incentive to bring about connection and is having a massive positive impact. Bunji loves to play and thinks he may be a bit of a farm dog. He starts the day with a walk to school which is fine by him as hes not too keen on the car. What a great start to the Program for Bunji and Wodonga Senior Secondary College! Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Gateway Health Bendigo Community Health Services Student Focused Youth Services Baranduda Primary School St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast Heathcote Primary School ABC Central Victoria ABC Goulburn Murray ABC Melbourne

19.01.2022 Andrew Frawley, Principal at California Gully Primary School has had the Dogs Connect Program as part of the schools learning since 2018. Here he is discussing some of the positive impact he has seen on students since the program and Millie the Wellbeing Dog were introduced to his community. California Gully Primary School @Bendigo Community Health Services

18.01.2022 We’re loving working with schools in the Wodonga area. Our trauma informed approach is delivering great results by supporting people. This learning can range from being about the autonomic nervous system right through to learning complex social strategies and skills. It’s all about mental health and wellbeing! Thanks to our partnership with Gateway Health and the @School Focussed Youth Services Regional Co-ordinator for supporting this Program and these schools.... If you’d like to know more jump on the Dogs Connect website https://dogsconnect.net.au/ If you’d like to talk about the possibilities of this Program in your school or workplace community email [email protected] #wellbeingdogs #mentalhealth #connection #polyvagal #traumainformed #nervoussystem #regulation #escalationcycle #schoolwellbeing #workplacewellbeing #abcmelbourne #abccentralvictoria #abcballarat #abcsydney #abccentralcoast #abcnorthcoast #abcadelaide #abcsoutheastsa #departmentofeducationvictoria Baranduda Primary School Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wooragee Primary School Bendigo Community Health Services Tim Richardson Department of Education and Training, Victoria ABC Melbourne ABC Goulburn Murray ABC Central Victoria ABC Ballarat ABC Sydney ABC Central Coast ABC North Coast Sky News WIN News Bendigo PRIME7 St John of God Bendigo Hospital Victorian Department of Health & Human Services NSW Department of Education

18.01.2022 This is the very beautiful Bunji from @Wodonga Senior Secondary College. His name is Indigenous for ‘mate’ and that's certainly what he is. He has settled in wonderfully to the school’s Dogs Connect Program and is becoming a much loved means of support for his community. He is one very special little pooch. Doing a fantastic job Bunji and WSSC! We love working with you.

18.01.2022 Recently, The Border Mail newspaper interviewed Dogs Connect founder Grant Shannon and a number of staff from local schools currently engaging in the program. Our partnership with Gateway Health was also celebrated with the addition of Student Focussed Youth Services coordinator Sarah McQualter being present. The restrictions that were introduced because of Covid forced us to become more creative with how we operated in and delivered the program to schools. We moved quickly ...and started to include parts of our online learning model. This enabled us to continue to deliver course content and stay connected with the broader school community. It’s fantastic to hear that the flexibility of the program and schools has produced awesome results which is evident in the quotes from the school representatives in this article. A huge well done to these communities who have excelled at introducing the program into their schools during the challenging restriction time. Gateway Health Baranduda Primary School Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wooragee Primary School Bendigo Community Health Services Heathcote Primary School St Philip's Christian College DALE - Waratah

18.01.2022 Big thanks to The Bendigo Advertiser for sharing the news that St John of God Bendigo Hospital has incorporated our program to help reduce the stress and anxiety levels of caregivers and make the hospital a more enjoyable place to work. Read the full story below...

18.01.2022 The work of detection dogs keeps expanding and Moss the labrador is no exception. Moss is the first dog to join Zoos Victoria Detection Dog Squad. He will be involved in the program out in the field locating certain threatened species which will result in gathering information for surveys and monitoring to help fight extinction of these species. Great work Moss! https://www.abc.net.au//moss-detection-dog-endang/12472652

18.01.2022 Top work Bingo and BSE College!!

17.01.2022 Back to school! As we head back into a new term of learning we would like to welcome our new Semester 2 schools and workplaces to the Dogs Program and send a big shout out to all of our brilliant, dedicated Dogs Connect Schools and Communities. We are so excited to have the privilege to be introducing more Wellbeing Dogs into schools and workplaces to assist with improving mental health and wellbeing for staff and students. We love what we do!! Bendigo Community Health Servic...es Gateway Health St. Josephs Primary School, Cobram California Gully Primary School Euroa Secondary College Holy Rosary School St. Peters Primary School Bendigo South East College Kangaroo Flat Primary School Lightning Reef Primary School Weeroona College Bendigo Maryborough Education Centre Melrose Primary School Wodonga South Primary School @Camp Hill Primary School Catherine McAuley College Epsom Primary School Quarry Hill Primary School St Thereses Primary School See more

17.01.2022 With school holidays over and our dogs spending more time at home alone, here are some suggestions about using your dogs toys effectively to provide them with a little more entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-gFqxjQvjU&feature=youtu.be

17.01.2022 What a great inclusion into this community. People are doing amazing things and we love seeing the involvement of such amazing and beautiful wellbeing dogs! Well done Kangaroo Flat Primary School, and great work Bonnie - beautiful.

16.01.2022 We have been forced to be creative and change how we offer training this year. It has been a blessing in disguise as some simple options have surfaced which enable people to bring wellbeing dogs into their workplace with ease. We have a complete end to end online training program that you can now pick and choose from. The Dogs Connect Mentorship Overview (complete online training package): https://youtu.be/2arfBUhfKp4... For more info visit https://dogsconnect.net.au/

15.01.2022 The Polyvagal Theory explains so much about how we become who we are and the way we behave. Here’s a great clip explaining it very briefly. The amazing role dogs can play is that when we are connected with a dog we can safely buy into social and emotional engagement. This allows us to practice a shift in our state of being.... We love teaching people how to enable this in a safe, deliberate, and structured way so that the connection is authentic and can help us to shift some of our behaviours. #wellbeingdogs #mentalhealth #polyvagaltheory #regulation #traumainformed #nervoussystem #escalationcycle #schoolwellbeing #workplacewellbeing #connection

14.01.2022 As a team we all love learning more about being a trauma informed organisation. In my role I love involving wellbeing dogs in multi-tiered support within a trauma informed approach to wellbeing for people in general - not just young people! Something that can be under-rated is the impact of vicarious trauma. ... Recognising this and enabling people to connect and interact with the wellbeing dogs in a way that naturally offers safe social and emotional buy in can be very important for all people and dogs.

13.01.2022 If you missed us on ABC News Friday night, you can now watch the story below. After a pilot program at St John of God Bendigo Hospital found that all staff felt a visit from a wellbeing dog increased happiness and reduced stress, the community wasted no time in permanently welcoming Rosie as a wellbeing dog in their workplace. Find out how she is settling in...

13.01.2022 An interesting read on young children and pet ownership. https://www.telethonkids.org.au//power-pooches-pre-schoo/

12.01.2022 This is Dogs Connect Wellbeing Dog Bonnie. Bonnie is a much loved staff member at Kangaroo Flat Primary School. Bonnie helps her community to learn about self awareness, self regulation, empathy towards others and promotes a feeling of general wellbeing in the school. Bonnie has assisted many foundation students with a positive and smooth transition from kinder to the classroom. She spends time with all grade levels, with the administration and wellbeing staff, in the school... library and on yard duty. Bonnie enjoys play time with the Dogs Connect leaders.The team consists of staff and students who ensure Bonnies needs are being met, the team also gives students the opportunity to voice their thoughts on Bonnies care and work in the school. Kangaroo Flat Primary School Bendigo Community Health Services

12.01.2022 Check out the beautiful Coco in the Country News last week!! Coco is a staff member at St Josephs Primary School Cobram. Weve loved working with the St Josephs community since they joined the Dogs Connect Program in 2017 and we love seeing what theyre up to. Great to see its not all work and no play for Coco!

12.01.2022 The amazing sensory capabilities of a dog are astounding. Here is a brief insight as to what your dog can see, smell and hear even as a pup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ2ZPmEfjvU&list=WL&index=5

12.01.2022 Dont miss us on ABC News tonight at 7 pm. We will be sharing the unique program we have built to provide emotional and wellbeing support to frontline workers and caregivers and the impact its had at St John of God Bendigo Hospital. Tune in!

11.01.2022 Jack got the call up to stand in for Rosie today at St John of God Bendigo Hospital. He loved seeing some of his friends, and got to meet a beautiful young Labrador in training to be a seeing eye dog. He loved trying to show her how to stay relaxed in such a busy place. It comes pretty natural for Jack, he's one of the most chilled out dudes we know!

11.01.2022 Hows this for learning and connection..Wow!! Happy 1st birthday Daisy the Wellbeing Dog at Melrose Primary School. Melrose Primary School Gateway Health ABC Goulburn Murray https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=621334968493691

09.01.2022 Somedays all it takes is a smile. So give those pearly whites a flash like our friend here is doing a great job of. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=285165689273397

08.01.2022 The staff, students and community at Heathcote Primary School have introduced the beautiful Evie into their environment. Meet Evie!! Evie is a very warm and social girl and loves to be with people. She enjoys sleeping at night however not so much during the day in case she misses any action. Evie loves to play tug of war and her absolute favourite toy is a monkey. ... Evie enjoys a car trip, often using it as an opportunity to have a quick power nap before getting into the action again. Evie is settling into Heathcote PS and is loving the new learning opportunities that she is getting as she begins to become more involved in classrooms. Way to go Evie and Heathcote Primary School! Heathcote Primary School Bendigo Community Health Services Gateway Health Student Focused Youth Services St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Baranduda Primary School ABC Central Victoria ABC Goulburn Murray ABC Melbourne

07.01.2022 We are often asked how schools and workplaces sustain the Dogs Connect Program once the initial work with the facilitator is complete. After the facilitator has introduced the program to the school or workplace the learning continues to develop within their communities. The staff, students and Wellbeing Dog build on the foundation of techniques and principles learnt in the program to shape further expansion. With creative thinking, Wellbeing Dogs can be engaged in a wide range of scenarios to help build a more connected, aware and positive community. The Wellbeing Dogs become valued staff members and they become invaluable as they are integrated further into the school or workplace community.

07.01.2022 The amazing work dogs are doing around the world just keeps continuing to evolve and expand! Scientists at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Germany are running a pilot program teaching dogs to detect the COVID-19 virus. Early results are showing the dogs can detect with a relatively high rate of accuracy. https://www.dw.com//german-sniffer-dogs-show-pr/a-54300863

07.01.2022 Beautiful Wellbeing Dog Kobe is becoming part of the Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre community. Meet Kobe! Kobe is one strong willed little pooch. Shes very cheeky and loves a cuddle. She enjoys coming to work and loves time with the students and as well as a play with the adults..she is especially fond of the art room. Kobe has a great sense of humour and likes to steal tradesmens tools and hide them in her kennel. She loves apples and will consume an entire apple in no t...ime. We look forward to hearing more about the beautiful Kobe and Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre! Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre Wodonga Senior Secondary College Gateway Health Bendigo Community Health Services Student Focused Youth Services Baranduda Primary School St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah Heathcote Primary School ABC Central Victoria ABC Goulburn Murray ABC Melbourne

06.01.2022 Some days are just more productive than others.. School holidays are almost finished and its time to get back into work..hopefully with a little more gains than what our friend Nelson is having.. https://www.youtube.com/watch

05.01.2022 With the focus and pressure on hospitals, were thrilled we can provide a sustainable solution combatting trauma management, wellbeing and mental health for frontline workers and caregivers in the health care system. If you missed us on ABC News Friday night you can catch up on how Rosie is settling in at St John of God Bendigo Hospital here...

05.01.2022 We are filling contracts for 2021 now! Anywhere in Australia, if you’re interested email us on [email protected] and we’ll follow up. To find out more about the Dogs Connect Program head to https://dogsconnect.net.au/ #wellbeingdogs #mentalhealth #schoolwellbeing #workplacewellbeing #connection #regulation #nervoussystem

05.01.2022 Yesterday was the start of amazing things. It will unfold naturally over the coming months, but have a look at how it all begins... WARNING: CONTENT INCLUDES SEVERAL PUPPIES!!

04.01.2022 This very special cargo has been delivered to a very unique community who we are very excited to begin working with. These two beautiful Wellbeing Dogs will be integral to improving mental health and culture as the Dogs Connect Program is introduced. How divine are they!! Stay tuned as we share more about their journey..

03.01.2022 Happy National Dog Day. Thanks to every dog in the world for everything you do for us ! You are amazing and we love you all.

03.01.2022 A big welcome to our new schools for Semester 2 and a big shout out to all of the amazing existing Dogs Connect schools. Everyone is doing a fantastic job during these COVID times and for those in remote learning scenarios, great job on maintaining the connection with your people. Gateway Health Bendigo Community Health Services Baranduda Primary School St Philips Christian College DALE - Waratah Young Parents Hub - Newcastle & Central Coast Heathcote Primary School Wodong...a Flexible Learning Centre Wodonga Senior Secondary College Camp Hill Primary School Catherine McAuley College Epsom Primary School Quarry Hill Primary School St Thereses Primary School Bendigo South East College Kangaroo Flat Primary School Weeroona College Bendigo Maryborough Education Centre Melrose Primary School Wodonga South Primary School California Gully Primary School Euroa Secondary College Holy Rosary Heathcote St. Peters Primary School St. Josephs Primary School, Cobram ABC Goulburn Murray ABC Central Victoria ABC Melbourne ABC Sydney ABC Newcastle ABC Central Coast See more

02.01.2022 For those in lock down, excited by the opportunity of getting out for exercise?? Feels a little like this?... https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3157120057668781