Training Dogs for Emotional Support and Assistance
Based on the philosophies of Therapeutic Dog Training, WellPaws is a unique therapeutic program that is part counselling and part practical dog-training activities.
The WellPaws Emotional Support Dog (ESD) therapeutic program teaches the skills necessary for participants and their parents, families or carers to develop strong, mutually supportive relationships with their dogs.
What is an Emotional Support Dog (ESD)?
Do you need support from your dog? or do you hope that your dog supports others? Do you require ‘public access’? Terms can be confusing, so here we explain which dogs perform which roles.
Flexible Individual Sessions
WellPaws individual sessions cover a range of dog training skills, theory topics such as welfare and first aid, and strategies to incorporate your dog into various wellbeing activities that provide emotional support.
Programme outline
Each session is guided by a mental health professional who is also dual qualified as a dog trainer. The Emotional Support Dog curriculum contains approximately 20 hours of discussions and activities, however some individuals may progress more or less quickly through the content. The curriculum includes therapeutic discussions, supportive dog-training lessons, and education about dogs. Based on the philosophies of Therapeutic Dog Training, as developed by our Director Melanie Jones, the curriculum is suitable for a range of people.
- Adult / independent handler. These sessions are appropriate for a person who is capable of training their own dog to provide them with support. They may choose to have a support person accompany them to sessions.
- Youth and family / supported handler. Some handlers will do the majority of the handling, e.g., a confident adolescent, however will still require regular support and input from a parent or carer.
- Child and parent / carer as handler. When a participant does not have the capacity to train the dog themselves, a parent of carer is trained as the dog’s primary handler. In this instance, the handler may attend up to 50% of the sessions without the participant.
Appointments and Funding
Appointments
Bookings can be made with one of our dual qualified mental health professionals by contacting reception on 03 9761 0973.
Funding
Payment is required at the time of appointment. Rebates may be available:
- Private health insurance rebates
- Self-managed and plan-managed (by financial administration/intermediary) NDIS plans, under Capacity Building/Improved Daily Living
- This service is NOT covered by a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan as an approved treatment for a Mental Health Disorder
Please contact us if you would like more information or a copy of our comprehensive e-brochure, at 03 9761 0973 or via email: admin@leadthewayinstitute.com.au
Casual Group Sessions
WellPaws Group ESD (Emotional Support Dog) sessions run weekly for participants who would like to strengthen their bond with their dog. Each session contains simple dog training activities followed by a dog assisted wellbeing activity
Session information
These fun and informal sessions are facilitated by a mental health professional who is also dual qualified as a dog trainer, or a team of mental health professionals and dog trainers. These sessions are not as comprehensive as the Individual appointments, and do not cover the same extensive curriculum. However, they are designed to complement the work done in individual sessions, or provide a low pressure alternative to those who do not necessarily want to complete the entire ESD curriculum. The sessions are open and ongoing, meaning participants are free to come to whichever sessions are convenient.
- These sessions are run in person only. Numbers per session are strictly limited (maximum 8 participants per session).
- Where: Lead The Way Institute Training Centre, Unit 5/91 Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully, Vic. 3156
- When: Sessions run alternately on Wednesdays at 2pm (week one), or Thursdays at 4.30pm (week two). Except School holidays
PLEASE NOTE: Group sessions are only appropriate for dogs who are comfortable and friendly with other dogs and people close by to them. If you are unsure how your dog will go in the training centre with other dogs and people, please book an initial individual session to get you started.
Bookings and Funding
Booking
Bookings are made via our online booking portal. To register for access, contact reception on 03 9761 0973.
Funding
Payment is required at the time of appointment. Rebates may be available:
- Private health insurance rebates
- Self-managed and plan-managed (by financial administration/intermediary) NDIS plans, under Capacity Building/Improved Daily Living
- This service is NOT covered by a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan as an approved treatment for a Mental Health Disorder
PLEASE NOTE: Group sessions are only appropriate for dogs who are comfortable and friendly with other dogs and people close by to them. If you are unsure how your dog will go in the training centre with other dogs and people, please book an initial individual session to get you started.
Please contact us if you would like more information or a copy of our comprehensive e-brochure, at 03 9761 0973 or via email: admin@leadthewayinstitute.com.au
WellPaws Advanced ESD and Assistance Dogs
After successfully completing the WellPaws Emotional Support Dog (ESD) curriculum, some teams may wish to continue their training journey, with a view to Certifying their dogs as Assistance Dogs with Public Access under Australian law. This requires ongoing individual sessions where your therapist/trainer will guide you through the additional training requirements to achieve this level.
It is important to note that service and assistance dogs must have very special temperaments. They have to be able to stay focussed on their life-saving job, in the face of ANY distraction. They must not get distracted by children playing ball, cats running, dogs fighting, or people eating. They must have the confidence to ride on escalators and lifts, slippery floors, and noisy trains or trams. They must not be bothered by loud noises, crowds, equipment, traffic or music. The dog must not become stressed or upset or bothered by all kinds of situations and settings. They must be able to focus for long periods of time, and stay in ‘work mode’ all day. For these reasons, not all dogs are suitable to be service or assistance dogs.
At Lead The Way, we believe that a strong and healthy human-animal bond is at the heart of all successful teams. This bond is reflected in the everyday interactions we have with our dogs, and not just during those times when a dog may accompany us to a restaurant or shopping centre. The core of our work focusses on healthy communication, habits, routines, and mutually rewarding interactions that improve health, welfare, and wellbeing. Training of dogs in the WellPaws programme is a therapeutic journey, where clients and dogs learn the adaptive coping skills which will help them in everyday life. Focussing exclusively on Assistance Dog certification with public access may rob us of the chance to see our dog’s strengths and inevitably sets some teams up for failure.
While not all dogs can be assistance dogs with public access, all dogs can provide comfort and love.