Unlocking the Classroom: Why Therapy Dogs are the Key to Helping Vulnerable Kids Learn
Paw Pals Appeal helps struggling children find a safe path back to learning
For some children, school isn’t a place of curiosity and growth; it can be a source of fear and anxiety. This April, a community appeal is seeking support for Paw Pals, an animal-assisted learning and wellbeing program where therapy dogs help vulnerable children rediscover confidence, connection, and a readiness to learn.
Double Your Impact: The April 20–24 Boost Round
Therapy dogs support emotional safety
Delivered by MacKillop Family Services, Paw Pals supports children who have experienced distress, disrupted schooling, anxiety, or behavioural challenges that make traditional school environments overwhelming. Many children referred to the program have faced repeated exclusion or prolonged disengagement from education.
Paw Pals takes a different approach to education. Rather than focusing first on academic outcomes, the program prioritises emotional safety, trust, and wellbeing. Through structured sessions led by specialist educators and trained therapy dogs, Paw Pals has supported more than 1,700 children in Victoria to regulate their emotions, build relationships, and experience learning in a calm, supportive setting.
“A classroom can feel unsafe or simply too overwhelming for some children,” said Brona Walsh, MacKillop Family Services.
“Paw Pals meets children where they are. The presence of a therapy dog helps lower anxiety and build trust, creating the emotional safety children need before learning can begin.”
Real Stories: The Impact of Billie, Mango, and Zanna
Billie helped a VCAL student complete a critical assessment and finish Year 12.
Zanna helped a quiet group present confidently to their school.
Mango became a young person’s safe point and opened the door to participation.
30 Years of Supporting Change
This year, MacKillop Seasons is celebrating an incredible milestone: 30 years of supporting people through change, loss, and grief. They provide evidence-based education programs that support children, young people, and adults to better understand their experiences and attend well to their grief. Paw Pals is a critical extension of this mission, helping students feel calm, capable, and ready to learn.
Community support to grow Paw Pals
Across Victoria, the program now includes 21 therapy dogs, 15 facilitators, and thousands of sessions. Despite growing demand, Paw Pals relies on community support to continue and expand its work.
The program helps children develop emotional regulation, social skills, communication, and school readiness. Educators report improved attendance, greater willingness to engage in learning tasks, and stronger relationships between children and staff.
“With the right support, every child can learn,” Brona said.
“Community support for Paw Pals means children who are struggling aren’t left behind, they’re given the chance to thrive.”
How You Can Help
Funds raised through the appeal during the month of April will directly support trained therapy dog teams, specialist staff, and program delivery.
Now is the moment to make your gift go twice as far.
- More therapy dog sessions
More student‑friendly learning support
More children feeling safe and confident in the classroom
Members of the community are encouraged to donate or learn more about Paw Pals by visiting:
