On this page:
- Acquiring and supporting a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal
- Deciding whether a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal is appropriate for your school
- Costs and procurement
- Legal agreement with animal handlers for school-owned wellbeing and engagement animals
- Staff-owned wellbeing and engagement animal
Acquiring and supporting a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal
Deciding whether a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal is appropriate for your school
Acquiring and supporting a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal is a long-term commitment. When considering whether to acquire a wellbeing and engagement animal, schools must consider:
- the costs associated with acquiring and caring for the animal, including veterinary, equipment and insurance costs
- which staff members would be able to fulfil the animal handler role (which includes caring for the animal after hours, on weekends, public holidays and school holidays) and what training they would need
- whether the animal and breed of animal has the appropriate temperament and is hypoallergenic.
Costs and procurement
Grants
Schools that are considering starting an animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement program may be eligible for an animal-assisted programs .
Procurement
Schools must ensure that any purchases related to wellbeing and engagement animals comply with the department’s Procurement – Schools policy.
If schools are considering purchasing a wellbeing and engagement animal, contact the Legal Division at legal.services@education.vic.gov.au for advice on a purchase agreement.
Insurance
Schools should consider whether they want to source pet insurance.
Equipment
Schools must supply the necessary equipment to the animal handler and replace any equipment that is broken, used up or lost.
Legal agreement with animal handlers for school-owned wellbeing and engagement animals
Schools must use the School council agreement – wellbeing and engagement animal handler (school-owned) (staff login required) when entering into an agreement with a staff member to become an animal handler for a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal.
Staff-owned wellbeing and engagement animal
Schools may permit a staff-owned animal to become a school wellbeing and engagement animal, provided both the animal and owner have completed appropriate training. In this case the owner would be the animal handler, with the option of training another person who could act as an additional animal handler.
Costs and procurement
Grants
Schools that are considering starting an animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement program using a staff-owned animal may be eligible for an Animal-Assisted Programs Grant.
Procurement
The owner and animal must both have undergone appropriate training. This training may be paid for by the school.
Schools must ensure that any purchases related to wellbeing and engagement animals comply with the department’s Procurement policy.
Insurance
The staff member is responsible for any pet insurance, if they choose to obtain it.
Equipment
The staff member is responsible for the general care and costs associated with the animal.
Legal agreement for staff-owned wellbeing and engagement animals
Schools must use the School council agreement – wellbeing and engagement animal handler (staff-owned) (staff login required) when entering an arrangement with a staff member for their animal to work onsite as a school wellbeing and engagement animal.
Reviewed 29 October 2024