The Pooch Pals Program is JPC’s Wellbeing Dog Program. Its purpose is to promote student and staff wellbeing, enhance mental health, and contribute positively to the school culture. The program operates under the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn (CECG) Animals in Schools Policy, the School Wellbeing Dog Plan and Agreement, and JPC’s local procedures. The program ensures that all welfare, safety and risk-management obligations are met for students, staff and dogs. The Pooch Pals Program has been running at JPC since 2017.

We are excited to introduce Tali, a miniature schnoodle, to the Pooch Pals Program at JPC! A miniature schnoodle is a cross between a miniature schnauzer and a miniature poodle, making him an affectionate, intelligent and gentle Therapy Dog. His hypoallergenic coat makes him a great choice for a school environment, as he is less likely to trigger allergies.

Tali is a 19-month-old, fully trained Therapy Dog through Therapy Dogs Australia. He has undergone extensive training in both obedience and temperament to gain his accreditation with his handler and new school counsellor, Stephanie Foxley. They work as a team to provide animal-assisted therapy in the counselling space.

A Therapy Dog is a dog specifically trained to react and respond to people and their environment, under the guidance and direction of their owner. Through animal-assisted therapy (AAT), a Therapy Dog can help build rapport and trust between a student and the therapist, develop self-esteem through positive social interaction, and improve emotional regulation by decreasing cortisol levels and increasing oxytocin, leading to a greater sense of calm and wellbeing. AAT also encourages learning. Above all, animal-assisted therapy helps reduce stress and anxiety and can quickly assist in the de-escalation of various situations.

JPC is very lucky to have both support dogs and a therapy dog working within its community.

The main role of support dogs (like Buddy, Baxter and Bickie) within the school is to promote staff and student wellbeing and enhance the learning environment through their positive interactions with our community.

To help Tali integrate into his new role, he has had a staged start to his work. As Tali settles into his new environment, you will start to see him in the wider community outside of the counselling space. Tali will be working with School Counsellor Stephanie on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, offering animal-assisted therapy alongside the usual counselling therapies.

For his safety and wellbeing, Tali will always be kept on his lead while visiting the school. He has also undergone a complete vet check and is fully vaccinated, ensuring he is healthy and ready to interact with our school community.

If you have any questions about the Pooch Pals Program or have an allergy or a fear of dogs, feel free to reach out to Nerissa Hannaford in the Learning Diversity staffroom.

Nerissa Hannaford
Learning Diversity Teacher