Wellbeing Dog

In 2024, Winters Flat Primary School introduced a Wellbeing Dog to boost student wellbeing and strengthen the school community. The presence of Wellbeing Dogs can have a positive effect on student attendance, behavior, social connections, and emotional regulation.

Partnering with Dogs Connect—a leader in mental health and wellbeing initiatives—Winters Flat welcomed Sunny, a cheerful Cobber Dog, as an integral part of our school. Dogs Connect specializes in carefully incorporating Wellbeing Dogs into various settings, including schools, hospitals, aged care facilities, and justice environments. Each dog is thoughtfully selected and trained to meet the International Standards for Animal-Assisted Intervention.

After undergoing extensive training, Sunny was gradually introduced to the school's environment and now spends several days each week with us. He has quickly become cherished and appreciated by everyone in the Winters Flat community.

Our partnership with Dogs Connect plays a vital role in the success of the Wellbeing Dog program. Currently, eight staff members have completed the Mentorship program, and an additional 18 are trained or in training through the sideline program. According to Dogs Connect, it's recommended that Wellbeing Dogs work in schools no more than three days a week.

To learn more about the Wellbeing Dog program, visit dogsconnect.net.au.